LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9464, 5 June 1909, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE PRESS-GANG OP MODERN DAYS. SIR, —This precious proposal of Mr MoNab’s (shorn of the specious hypocrisy in which it is garbed) is bnt a modern revival of ah old time iniquitous institution of our forefathers—the press-gang. This modern revivification is called by three names (vide your advertising columns): (1) “Universal Military Training”; (2) “Compulsory Training”; (3) “Self-defence.” Shades of John Johnson and Thomas Burns. I apprehend that the guileless innocence of this last epithet ought to make this un-British proposal |a trifle more palatable. Kindly permit a running commentary by me on the proposal, viz. :—(1) Its extreme meanness, inasmuch as it is confined to those who have no vote, viz., to youths under 21, and who have, therefore, no say against this applied coercion. They are to serve or to be thrown into prisons as the penalty for not serving; and this in times of peace in a country boasting of the, liberty of the subject.- I openly taunt the advocates of this measure that they are “not game enough” to raise the age of service so as to compel voters to serve. (2) It i« slavery on British soil compelling those to serve who have no voting rights and are otherwise too weak to offer opposition. Precisely in that fashion did the Americans obtain and keep to bondage their negro slaves. (3) The proposal was avoided as an issue at the last general election. Now that M.’s.P. are safe for three years from the lash of their constituents it is proposed to cajole from them the grant of the proposal. What a despicable method indeed? (4) The stirring-up of contentious bitter feeling between the resident English and domiciled estimable German settlers. (5) The agitators in this xnattei are in the main the paid and unpaid military aided by some sanctimonious hypocrites:—Oldman Devil in his new disguise of Saint, I like him not. (6) Mr McNab was himself for many years a Volunteer officer. I think he;is one even now, hence his advocacy. (7) Mr McNab was Minister of Defence. He now alleges that under his rule every Volunteer cost the country £65. Such a proposition (when one remembers that the Volunteers never received any marked encouragement from Mr McNab) is enough to con-' demn him as the author of any new proposition. How does he make up the £65 per head? Wiiat squanderous waste there must have been under his benign rule. Poor Volunteers ! I am sure they received scant enough, encouragement for their kindly proffered services, and possibly Mr MoNab’s present mission is under the circumstances one of penance for past omissions. (8) Mr McNab as recently as July last (see Hansard) declared that the Volunteer force would be ample for this country’s requirements. Now he says it is a failure —(excellent consistency, isn’t it?) (9) "Compulsory training is only the thin end of the conscription wedge, the thicker end will assuredly follow. (10) What foe is apprehended ? Be definite please Mr McNab! (11) There is grave reason to apprehend that the recent military scare cables from England are manufactured in New Zealand and then wired from England to serve the sinister objects [of organised military purveyors at the New Zealand end. (12) Compulsory military training would chase from New Zealand the flower of her youth. (18) Note how some of the princely paid clergy are advocating this movement of Beelzebub. Behold the highly salaried disciples of the Prince ol Peace abrogating His doctrines and sheltering themselves behind the specious word “Defence.” To their'everlasting credit a large body of worshippers and of poorer paid clergy will, I believe, be found loyally adhering to those opposed to this military movement. (14) The best armies that ever marched in England were Volunteer armies (viz., Cromwell’s Ironsides, "and the Army o* William Prince of Orange). (15). As an extension of this military movement I mention Dreadnoughts. Think of it, 1500 British workmen employed daily for months to come and our own' workmen and civil servants dismissed, and workless, with large families dependent on them on the brink of starvation, —being deprived ofvtheir daily bread to pay workmen away in distant England. Marvel not that there is weeping and wailing and- gnashing of teeth heard throughout this once fair land. Alas, alas!' indeed, this foolish military hysteria! ||l weep for my country.—l am, etc., ALFRED LYON.