COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 8

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

LABOUR PARTY’S PROTEST AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT The National Executive of the Labour Party lias issued the following statement of its opposition to the compulsory clauses of I lie Defence Act, ami the particular application of tlm penal clauses to two divinity students of the Presbyterian Church The Labour Party, through Mr W. ,J. Jordan's M.P.. lias introduced a Bill to Parliament providing for the repeal of Lite law which compulsorily enforces tho youth of the Dominion to undergo military training- The parly lias always opposed compulsory training for war. In doing so it contends that, the system flow operating in the Dominion is wasteful, unnecessary, unjust, harmful to a largo section of tile youth of the Dominion, and repugnant to all methods that should be used for the protection or building of New Zealand or the British Commonwealth. We have prided ourselves oil the fact that we are more British than the British, and yet we ignore one of the Fundamentals of Britisli thought and sources of its strength—the freedom' ot the individual from conscription. The system is wasteful in that the money allocated is ill-spent and witli the tune occupied and the material used, could be more fruitfully employed in other directions, as the meiliods adopted for individual training will under Hie natural development of military science be obsolete before they can bo applied. PRESENT LAW UNJUST The existing law makes provision for the exemption from training of certain persons who are conscientiously opposed to war; but the validity of the opposition is determined by the recorded (Geological belief of ll:e particular church to which the objector may happen to belong. It appears that the objection can only bo, conscientious when Held, not only by the youth affected, but by the Church to which his father or grandfather adhered. A member of tlie Society of Friends or Seventh Day Adventists may obtain exemption; but members of the Anglican, Presbyterian, oilier churches, or youths who are not adherents to any denomination are denied a like privilege, and the ultimate (Incision as to the conscientious nature of the objection, is left to a Stipendiary Magistrate. AN AUCKLAND CASE. A particular application of the law is illustrated by ttie persecution of two student members of the Presbyterian Church, which culfninated in their sentence by an Auckland Magistrate to a fine of live pounds and deprivation of the rights of citizenship for toil years, and ultimate imprisonment unless the line is paid. The impossibility of determining tlm validity or otherwise of an expressed conscientious objection is agreed to by all scientists who have studied the problem. No tests can verify its authenticity or otherwise. The individual alone knows the motives which determine his action, and if his expressed opinion is that the training for war purposes is harmful, his statement should Lie accepted. Justice and the law arc not always synonymous terms, but the first .principle of the just administration is its equal application to all. To test an individual conscience by special theological beliefs and the judgment of a Magistrate is an entire negation of this principle.

OVER A THOUSAND PROSECUTIONS LAST YEAR The Labour Party, in pressing for a repeal of the compulsory clauses, knows that a large and growing number of parents and the general public have no enthusiasm for compulsion, and that the majority of the boys and (Vooiths have no interest in the work; put put up with it as a disagreeable legal obligation that ■would bring more disagreeable penalties if they did not carry it out. Eleven hundred and sixty nine of our boys and youths were brought to the Police Court for breaches ot the Act last year. The system is harmful to our youth in that it takes them away from a healthy home environment and suspends their education at oiie of its most useful periods, either by taking them from the secondary schools or from the trade or profession to which they are apprenticed. Tiie only apology offered for a- continuance of the compulsory provisions in the Act is that it provides a physical training that is not obtainable from other sources, but if one half of the money now expended on. military training was devoted to the provision of gymnasia, playing grounds and the promotion and organisation of healthy outdoor game's under ideal conditions, the resultant improvement in virility and individuality (physical and mental) would far exceed anything that is obtained under the present system.

REORGANISATION OF DEFENCE These arc some uf the reasons why the compulsory clauses of (lie military law should he repealed. Compulsion should hr, abolished at mice. The Lahour Party also urges that the whole defence system requires investigation and reorganisation. Th 0 reorganisation should he undertaken al once, not in the old spirit of endeavouring to ensure peace by preparing for war; but that we in;iy do our part in promoting the facilities that will I>v gradual stages lead to disarmament by mutual agreement between the, nations, and tho suhstitutiun of judicial arbitration through the Permanent Court of International Justice lor the settlement of disputes and differences instead of the fratricidal methods of the past which have, destroyed so many invaluable young lives. The natural development of intercourse, between the nations of the world renders imperative the abolition of every policy that, leads to war, and the promotion of every possible facility that will lead to its abolition. Conscription has ever been an active agent in promoling the war spirit, and its abolition "di be the first step towards a wiser and ultimalely more effective defence policy.

— FRIDAV, 191.1 i JULY iYA .vTTCLLAN L).—3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected studio items. ■4.0 : Literary selection by the Announcer. ■1.8: Studio items, d. 25 : Sports results to hand. 0-0: Children's session conducted by Nod and Aunt Jean. 7.0: Talk. Mr Frank Sutherland. "Rugby Football.” 7.15: News and market reports. 7.40: Talk, Rev. H. A. G. Clarke, "China.” 81: Berlin State Opera Orchestra. ‘ The Beautiful Gala lIlea.” Clarion Quartet. ”Gc|ievicvc.” Btmlio Trio, "Five Modern Songs.” Bass solo, Mr Duncan Black, "The Brave Old Oak." Grand organ and cornet. Arnold Grier. "The Lost Chord." Vocal duct. Miss A. McCnicr and Mr ,). Simpson, "Hunting Tower.” Violin solos, Miss lua Bosworth, (a) “Gavol te” ; (b) "Admiral’s Halliard.” Lecture-recital, Mrs Daisy Basham and Mr William Gemiiudl. "FtlieTliert Neviii.” Selection. lI.M. Grenadier Guards Band, "New Sullivan Selection. ” Teiior selection, Mr J. Simpson, “A Boy’s Best Friend.” 9.1: Weather report. Talk', Mr A. 11. Chappell, M.A., "Topical Talk.” Soprano solo, .Miss Alma McOruer, "Cherry Ripe.” Russian folk sung, lviri 1 loll’s Balaika Orchestra. "Shining Moon'.” Vocal duet, Miss Beryl Smith and Mr I). Black, “Gipsy Countess.” Studio Trio, "Trio in C Minor —First Movement.” Lecturerecital, Mrs D. Basham and Mr W. Gemmcll, “Hthelbcrt Neviii.'’ (l’art 2). Contralto solo, Aliss Beryl Smith, “Barbara Allan.” Chicago Symphony Orchestra, "Largo—‘Xerxes.’ ” Clarion Quartet, “Musical Switch.” 2YA WELLINGTON.—3.I : Selected gramophone items. 3.40: Relay from Messis Kirkealdie and Stains' tearooms of music by the Trio. 4.0: Selected gramophone items. 4.30 and 4.50: Sports results to hand. 5.0 : Children s session conducted by Big Brother Jack. 6.0: Dinner session. 7.0: News session, market reports and sports results. 7.40: Leelurette, Air Dan AlcKenzie, “The Laws of, Rugby.” 8.0: Chimes of the CLP.O. clock. Special presentation by the Etude Quartet of the musical comedy, “The Cabaret Girl.” Orchestra, “The Cabaret Girl.” Baritone, solo, Mr {lay Kemp, "First Rose of Summer.” Pianoforte solo, Miss Eileen Goudson. "Aleesle Caprice.” Contralto solo, Mrs Ray Kemp, "Kalua.” Humour, Mr and Airs Albert Russell, la) "My Word! You Do Look Queer”; fb) "Keep Your Face to the. Sunshine." Drclieslra, "Dollar Princess.” Vocal duet, Air Will Hancock ami Airs Ray Kemp, "Journey’s .End.” Tenor solo,, Mr Will Hancock, “At the Ball.” Victor Oluf Sextet ,(a) "Cherry Ripe” ; (h) "Minuet.’.’ Soprano solo, Aliss Grot la Stark, "Dancing Time.” Orchestra, ".Master Melodies from Famuus Light Operas.” 9.3: Weather report. Soprano solo, followed by sunnyio and tenor duet, Miss Grelta Stark and Air Will .Hancock, “Shimmy With Ale. Vocal duct, Mr and Mrs Ray Kemp, Looking All Over for You. ' Violin solos, .Fritz lvvcisler, (a) “Indian Love Call”; (h) "Deep in Aty Heart. Dear. Humour, Air and Airs Albert Russell, "Thank Heaven We Have -Men Like—” Duet, Air and Airs Albert Russell, “You Can Feel It’s Doing A’ou Good.” Cornet and trombone duet with orchestral accompaniment, “Barcarolle.” Vocal duet, Messrs Will Hancock and Ray Kemp, “Forgive Ale If I Speak.” Baritone solo and chorus. Mr Ray Kemp and Etude Quartet. "London. Dear Old London.” Etude Quartet, "Dancing Time.” Grand organ solos, Edwin IT. Lotnare, (a) “Audantiuo in D Flat”; (b) “Traumerei.” Orchestra, “Mayfair and -Montmartre” selection. 3YA’ CHRISTCHURCH.—3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected gramophone items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 6.0: Children’s session conducted by “Storyman.” 7.0: News session. 8.0: Studio Concert by the Commercial Travellers’ Afale Choir and Concert Party: Overture (rebroadcast of 2YA, Wellington)—“Tile Cabaret Girl.” Partsong, Male Choir, “Sailor’s Song.” Soprano solos, Aliss Alerle Barry, (a) “Happy Song”; (b) “The Cuckoo.” Savoy Orpheans, ‘Tlit the Deck” selection. Recital, Air A. E. Romerill, “The Gardener’s Story.” Bass solo. Air W. 11. Taylor, “The Tunc of the Open Country.” Xylophone solo. Victor Sterling, “Colonel Bogey.” Part-song, Male Choir, “Alinnesingers.” Baritone solo, Mr W. Tourney, “The Diver.” Violin solo, Mr Robert L. Clarke, "‘Romance.” Contralto solo, Aliss Maggie Richardson, “The Boatmen of the Forth.” Sea song, Air W. Drake, “The Stoker.” Savoy Orpheans, “Round the World.” 9.5: Weather report. Part-song, Male I Choir. “In a Gondola.” Medley, Savoy Orpheans,. “Round the Wald” Baritone solos. Air K. W. Connor, („) “Fair-

mgs”; (lij “Dunii.” Mezzo-soprano solo, At iss Mcrlo L’ari'y, “Rato /IMoon.” Xylophone solo. Victor Sterling, “Great Little Army.” .Recital, Mr A. E. Romcriil, “Tlie Twelvo' Stone Limit.” Tenor solo, Mr (!. \V. Retry, ‘‘For You Alone.” Selection, Savoy Orplicans, “Hit Hie Deck.” Rart-sung, .Male Choir, “To Arms.” Contralto solo, Miss Maggit' Richardson. "My Laddie.” Violin hole, Mr Robert L. Clarke. “Canzoltetta.” Baritone solo, Air W. Toomey, “Indian Serenade.” Rart-song, Male Choir, “The Camel and the Butterfly.” ‘'‘Brunswick” dance programme till 11 U 4YA DUNEDIN.—3.I: Selected grain, ophono items. 3.15: Talk on “Fashions” by Miss Bueeloueli, of the D.S.A., Ltd. 4.25: Sports results to l hand. G.O: Children’s session conducted bv Aunt Sheila and Big Brother Bill. 7.0: News session. 0.1: Overture, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, “Lohengrin—lntroduction to Act 3.” 3.5: Presentation by the 4YA Harmonists of the song cycle “More Daisies.” 8.40: 4YA Broadcasting Trio, "Berceuse.” Recitals, Air Lester Moiler, (a) “He Fell Among Thieves”; (b) “The Seekers.” Alandoilin Band, “Semiramide” overtures. 9.4: Weather report. Violin solo, Aliss Eva Judd, “Uhl Folks at Home.” Tenor solo, Mr H. A. Johnston, “BlackPetalled Roses." Relay from Ritz of special orchestral feature. Grand Trailer Choir, “Spinning Chorus —The Flying Dutchman.” 4YA Broadcasting Trio, “Hungarian Dances Xn«; 6 and 7.” Soprano solo, Aliss Mae Alatheson. “A Legeiide.” Pianoforte solo, Mrs Ernest Drake, “Liobcstraume No. 3.” Recital, Mr Lester Aloller. selection from “Henry Vlfl.”’ ’Cello solo, Air P. ,T. Palmer, “Arlequin.” H.AL Grenadier Guards, “The Meistersingers.”