PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1916. I.W.W. AND CONSCRIPTION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 227, 17 November 1916, Page 2

PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1916. I.W.W. AND CONSCRIPTION

"We nothing extenuate, nor let down auaht in malice."

We are now definitely informed that the Australian referendum on the compulsory service issue resulted in an absolute majority for the " Noes," though the actual margin is not yet known. Emboldened by this result Mr Hiram Hunter, a man who poses as the mouthpiece of organised labour in Christchurch, has approached Hon. James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister, with a request that a referendum be taken in New Zealand before the Military Service Act is put into operation, asserting that Parliament had no mandate from the people to pass such a measure. It is safe to conclude that Mr Hunter represents that insignificant, but noisy organisation which presumed to issue a manifesto to the opponents of Conscription before the recent referendum in Australia, wishing them success on behalf of organised Labour in New Zealand. This small band takes itself very seriously and almost regards itself as a power in the land. Deeply imbued with the pernicious doctrines of the 1.W.W., one of the salient articles of whose faith is that its members have no country, it is out to undermine all authority and to establish anarchy. What life would be under the I.W.W. regime is pointedly shown by the arrogant manner in which the old and tried servants of Labour have been dealt with in Australia because of their views on compulsory service. These men refused to put their consciences in the keeping of the rabid section, and therefore they have been incontinently thrown aside. Men of the I.W.W. ilk loudly prate of the tyranny of the " master class," but abundant evidence is forthcoming that the tyranny which the I.W.W would exercise would be as scorpions to whips. They talk of liberty, equality and fraternity, but they know not the meaning of the terms. Labour leaders at Home realise what is at stake, and do not hesitate to admit that compulsion is quite in accord with Labour's hopes and ideals. It is against such a galaxy ol' old and tried Labour men that the " United Federation of Labour " in this Dominion raises its feeble voice. We are convinced that the executive of that body are not concerned with our national interests They lmve a more sinister object in j