“A FOOL’S PARADISE.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8354, 14 February 1913, Page 11

“A FOOL’S PARADISE.”

CLERICS AND DEFENCE AIETHODISTS DISCUSS COMPULSORY TRAINING. ANTI-MILITARIST MOTION REJECTED. Compulsory military training was considered bv the Alethodist Conference tor a while last evening. Tho discussion arose on a motion by tho Rev. D. AlcNicholl: That in view of tho great advance made in the peace movement throughout the world, and in view of tho fact that the present warlike methods of settling disputes are. both un-Christian and against the best interests of tho people, this conference declares itself in favour of arbitration in all international disputes. We also enter our emphatic protest against compulsory military training, believing this to be not only a serious reflection on tho patriotism of the people of the Dominion and fraught with great moral perils to our youth, hut also entirely out of harmony with Christian teaching and tho traditions of British freedom. "AN INSULT.” Mr AlcNicholl said that he thought that all members of the conference wero agreed as to the first part of his motion—(hear, hear) —but there would undoubtedly ho a conflict respecting the second part. To impose compulsory military training was an insult to tho nation, for, as was well known, New Zealanders wero an intensely patriotic people. This had been shown at the time of the South African war. Then compulsory training was out of harmony with the traditions of British freedom, and if those in authority did not awake it would bring. about a revolution in this country. (Cries of “No.”) Tho opposition to this thing was stronger than many people thought. They wero living in a fool’s paradise. (Laughter.) Ho knew that tho opposition in Christchurch, for instance, was something tremendous. Ho did not object to fighting or to defending the country, hut he did object to being forced to fight at the point of the bayonet. It was the compulsoryclauses that were at the bottom of the mischief. People must make up their minds to have the compulsory clause repealed. He was sure that folk did not realise what was being done when the Act was passed. There had been a wave of jingoism passing over the country and the Act was the result. As Christian men ho appealed to the members of the conferenco to enter their protest against it. (Applause.) AS LOYAL AS THE NEXT MAN. Tho motion was seconded by Air G. W. Leadley. Ho said he claimed to bo as loyal and patriotic as the next man, and he would help to defend the country if need arose, but he objected to the compulsion. He held that the people of New Zealand had been tricked by the passing of the Act. A protest against the use of the word "tricked” was made by the Hon. G. Smith, M.L.C. “Well, I will use it again,” said Mr Leadley, but at the suggestion of the president he withdrew it, substituting a statement that the people had been' misled when the Act was passing through the Legislature. Ho was confident that before long people would demand and secure the withdrawal of tho objectionable provisions. For half of what Was being spent on the defence system, they could have established a thoroughly 'efficient citizen army. He objected to the Act as a taxpayer and also as the father of boys who would be called upon to take up military duties. After what he had seen and heard of the influence of camp life, ho. dreaded the moment when his boys would have to take part in it. (Hear, hear.) Lastly j he objected to the Act as a Christian man. Tho motion was supported by the Rev. J. N. Buttle. THE SYSTEM DEFENDED. Tho Hon. G. J. Smith said he rather regretted that the matter had been orought up in tho conference. Previous speakers had said that though they were opposed to compulsory training they would be willing to help in deionding the country if need arose. But what was the use of untrained men going out to meet a trained army '( (Hear, hear.) Lord Kitchener had estimated that a force of 30,000 men was required to defend the country, but they could never have got this number under the old volunteer system. All that the Act really asked was that men should be prepared and trained to defend their, country. The Government exercised ho compulsion at all so far as concerned an expeditionary force. “ They had better not,” interjected a clerical member of the conference. Referring to the comments upon tho allegedly bad influence of the camps, Mr Smith pointed out that there wero objectionable features in very many other things. There were even things going on in the churches that it would be very much better if they never happened. (Hear, hear.) When it was remembered that the men wero drawn from all grades of society, the percentage of immorality, gambling, and bad language in camps must be admitted as being very much smaller than anyone would be likely to expect. (Hear, hear.) Young men could see and hear more of a lowering nature in tho streets of, say, Christchurch on a Saturday night than they would in camp. (Hear, hear.) The moral standard of the territorial camp was immeasurably superior to that of the volunteer camp. (Hear, hear.) The whole trend of the system and of tho influence of General Godley and his officers would bo in tho direction of raising the moral level of tho camps. (Applause.) “ A AIERE TOY ARMY.” Tho Rev. G. H. Mann held that the matter was properly one for tho conference to consider. He declared that authorities held that six weeks’ hard, solid training would lick a body of men into much better shapo than the mere toy army that would bo the result of the present system. BENEFITS OF TRAINING. The Rev. J. H. Simmons, the principal of Wesley Training College, said that while in a few cases boys might receive harm from camp life, an enormous number would get great benefit from being trained and disciplined. The camps were now saving the young men from tho streets. “ I have been converted from the idea of the immorality of camps,” said tho Rev. W. Ready. He held that it was a good thing for boys to go out into camps and have proper discipline brought to bear upon them. The vice-president, tho Hon. C. Al. Luke, M.L.C.. pointed out that the Defence Act did not say that anyone must fight. All it said was that everyone must train. He believed that the operation of the Act would bring about a great physical improvement m the race. (Hear, hear.)

The Rev. J. W. Burton protested against tho Act because under it there was growing up a jingoistic spirit which was antagonistic to Christianity. Ho believed New Zealanders wero living in a fool’s paradise, and that a great wave of feeling was coming back on this thing. (Hear, hear.) Unless tho Government was prepared to modify the scherno very greatly, it would have to go altogether. In any case, ho failed to see what use “ the little tm-pot territorial army ” could be in tho case of invasion. NOT PERFECT, BUT BETTER THAN BEFORE. Speaking as one who had personal experience of both the volunteer and territorial systems, Air F. C. Darnell said that though tho present system was not perfect it was better than tho old one. The camps were just what the officers mfado tnem. it was his belief that tho church had been lacking m its duty, in that it had not seen that the force was officered by men of high moral tone. . '. It was agreed to put the motion in two parts. Tho first part, declaring for the arbitration principle, was carriod unanimously. The second part, protesting against compulsory training, was rejected by 79 votes to 66# This result was received with somo applause, but the president checked it by remarking that it was nothing to clap over. , _ T , . On tho motion of tho Rov. Joughm the conference reaffirmed the resolution of the previous year in which the Government was called upon to provide a conscience clause in the Act. In supporting the motion, tho Rev. Abernethy said that if the vote on Air AlcNichol’s motion were allowed to go forth by itself, it would lead people to believe that the conference approved of the imprisonment of boys under the Defence Act.