The Oath.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 69, 5 July 1912, Page 8

The Oath.

THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES BREAK THE LAW. Section 11 of the Defence Act, 1909, wakes l A romp'.iliwry an th« men of the "Defence Forces" to take the following oath of "allegiance":— "I, do sincerely promise and swear that 1 will be faithful and bear true allegiance to our Sovereign Lord the King, and that I will faithfully serve in the Permanent Force or Territorial Force or Militia, a3 the case may be, until lawfully discharged."

Section 2 defines the "Defenco Forces" as meaning the Permanent Force, Territorial Force and Reserve, thus excluding the Cadets. Section 4 gives authority to make regulations "carrying this Act into effect," but no authority is given to alter anything contained in the Act. At the present moment the military authorities are enforcing an oath of 'obedience" not found in the Act, viz. :—

"J , do sincerely promise and swear that J will faithfully servo in. the N.Z. Military Forces according to my liability under tile Defence Act at present- in force, and that I will observe and obey all orders of his Majesty, his heirs and successors, and of the generals and officers set over mc, until 1 am lawfully discharged. So help mc, God."

The military authorities are also attempting to enforce this oath on cadets, who tire not i > quired, by tho Act- to take any oath.

Such proceedings,, in absence of any explanation, are not calculated to givt confidence in the honesty of the military authorities.

The introduction of the obedienco '<<o the "generals and officers" is a piece of cool impertinence, besides being illegal. Is General C'odloy tho author of tills delightful oath.' if not, who is? And why should children bo compelled to take oaths? .Are the military authorities free, to break any law they care to?

Workers should demand an answer to this question.