The Defence Act.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 69, 5 July 1912, Page 3

The Defence Act.

AN APPEAL TO THE WOMEN WORKERS OF NEW ZEALAND.

BY ONE OF THEM

A short time ago a deputation of intrepid matrons waited on tho Minis-: tor of Defence in Christchurch in order to protest against tho piescnt system of compulsory military training. As they had been told —not once, but many times—that the new scheme would supply tho place of the home, tho school, and the church i:i elevating the young degenerates they had brought into the world, their conduct struck the Minister and the press as most ir- ; rational. Women as a rule do not go forth to war with.nit reason, and these wont as national housewives, concerned with the cost of living. Bernard Shaw has said: "What is wrong with the poor is poverty." Wo all warn better wages and better conditions, but if we arc to get them we must look, not only after the keeping of our own homes, but also after tho housekeeping of tho nation. When tho Prime Minister, without consulting t-ie people, gives away a million or two in the shape of a Dreadnought, it is for you to give tho poor, dear man a pieco of your mind. Or aro you too busy talking of Mrs. Smith's extravagance in hats to have tirno to remember that such war expenditure may prevent you from buying a new one? 'When Mr. Myers thinks it would bo very nice to get over a troop of soldiers—real grown-up English ones—then if you applaud tho parade, at least remember you pay for it. Women of New Zealand, watch your nation's housekeeping. That deputation of women went to Mr. Myers to protest against tho Defence Act because they wished their sons to grow up good citizens. They hate tho military spirit inculcated in boys at school when character should be'in the making. They detest the imposition of compulsory oaths on minors unable to grasp the penalties they are incurring or the responsibilities they are undertaking. The Bible is excluded from tho schools. Exclude also the rifle. If intolerance comes -in preaching Love, be certain it will come of teaching Force. Women of New Zealand, demand physical, not military, training for your boys. They should bo strong to work day by day to build up tho industries of the nation for the nationstrong to construct, not to destroy. Wo mothers do not want our sons flattened out in a military mangle. And another reason wky that deputation of women went to Mr. Myers was that they were of British blood and of a raco which has grown great in freedom and which needs no compulsion to lovo or intimidation to servo the land which has given it birth. And of such a temper are our sons. The volunteer spirit is theirs, but not that of servility. Women of New Zealand, demand that your sons be made free again. That deputation of women went to Mr. Myers because the Defence Act lias in Christchurch penalised and imprisoned not only Sunday school teachers and member's of Bible classes., but conscientious lads, who do not prate of religion, but who wish to practise, it. Our forefathers died to win this liberty of conscience tor which our sous have gone to prison to-day. Shall we barter this great principle in our fear of bogeys set up by war-lords 't Women of New Zealand, demand tho repeal of the Defence Act, and safeguard th<> civil and religious liberties of your country and of your sons!