A GROSS SLANDER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 3, 28 December 1912, Page 6

A GROSS SLANDER.

The most recent libeller of the honour of the people of the Dominion is a Mr. Edward Stevenson, of 100, Princess Street, Hastings, who says in a letter (September 23rd), published in the ‘Manchester Guardian’ of October 30th: “I am pleased to see that the ‘Manchester Guardian’ is giving publicity to our fight against child conscription. This barbarous measure was foisted op the people on the crest of a wave 'of jingoism without the people being consulted, nor was it thought of at the elections previous to the passing of the Act. The imprisonment of passive resisters was the direct cause of the Ward Ministry being hurled from office. The Tory Party, now in office, propose to built military prisons, thus creating a military authority independent of the civil law, but it will wreck them as it wrecked the sham Liberals, We are going to continue the fight -against it more resolutely than ever. Indeed, the fighting is only starting. I was present at the Hastings Court last Wednesday, when two youths -were fined for noftattendance at drill. Talking to the lads, I found that they were doing a man’s work during the day, and were not fit for drill after their work, so I paid both’ the fines and costs. Many sturdy lads are now in gaol for standing firm for the best traditions of our race. The supporters of this panic legislation indulge in the most disgraceful larrikinism and holliganism, and often break up public meetings. Over a million pounds has already been blown,to the winds on it, and it is not worth a halfpenny stamp. An-ti-conscription leagues are being organised in many of the centres. In tne meantime you may warn your readers that if they should come to New Zealand thev will be subject to child conscription.”