Country Workers and "Defence."

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 78, 6 September 1912, Page 4

Country Workers and "Defence."

A Defence Act prosecution in the Christchurch Police Court the other day showed that it is possible for a lad to bo brought before n Magistrate -without knowledge of tho precise charge, which has been made against him. The fair fame of Justice is in a bad way just now. Tho mere fact that over two hours can be spent by the Magistrate in profound consideration of whether a gentleman was tipsy or not, and whether ho clung to a telegraph polo or rolled upon a floor, whilst conscript juveniles aro summarily dealt, with at lightning speed is enough to explain the anomalies that aro occurring in the administration of the Act.

When, however, wo remember that tho wisdom of the Bench was stimulated by the intellectual presenco of four or five officers, wo understand tho

ram'dity of judgment

Time, for which the country is paying handsomely, may hang heavily with Defence officials, but ifc is hard when a country worker, who would have been rendering "personal service" in honest toil, is kept in court from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. This lad, who came from outside Belfast, and who was taken last, pleaded that he was required to go nine miles to drill. This business of fighting is thrusting aside productive citizen duties and occupations.

In tho order paper of August, 14 is asked the rpicsfiou if fines of 2,~f. inflicted on five members of file Territorial Force, Jsaikoura, for not, attending camp at Blenheim, 90 miles away, would bo reconsidered. Thoro is no rail communication, and as a matter of fact one of the men was employed at Hundalee, 20 miles south of Kaikoura, which necessitated a week's travel.

You have seen or heard-of the Blue Bird of Happiness. True it is high up yet. but it can he reached now. Socialism, in ils freest, and broadest, sense, is Hie only way towards attain-

ing it. SeeialisMi means service, it moans sell'-sacrilicc, it means co-opera-tion. Socialism means love, as free as truth, as sril't. a.uho moonbeams, a s radiant as th". many-colored stars and love never failcth. --"Q. 'Worker.''