CONSCRIPTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 69, 20 November 1915, Page 2

CONSCRIPTION.

[l'o The Ewiob otkawohd Fosr.j Sir, —Following on the various activities of responsible bodies particularly in the South Island relative to the advisability ol introducing “Conscription,” 1 am glad to see some indications of activity in Taranaki. Ihc '“Patriotic” Committee certainly acted ■wisely in passing a resolution in fatrjour of Conscription, and 1 trust other 1 responsible bodies "ill do likewise. of this kind tend to !strengthen the hands of the Govern•meiifc, and give a fair indication of 1 public feeling, which, 1 believe, is decidedly in favour of Conscription, and if men will not heed to the call ol their country in her hour of trial (hen we should have Conscription. Lloyd George said: A\e have been too comfortable, too indulgent, manj perhaps, too selfish, and the stem band of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can sec the great everlasting things that matter for a Nation.” So many young-men living in comfort seem to overlook the things that matter for a nation. 1 have heard men say they have nothing to go to the front to light for, and d they did go, it would be merely to fight for the “capitalist.” Not so—this War is one of mighty principles which are battling for the mastei \. Ideas are locked in deadly combat, it is Germany’s “cause” wo arc lighting, a “cause” based on her conviction or fascination of the f'* l ' dung j banner, and the allegiance of another j annexed tribe or people.

i i am Monarch of all 1 survey, My right there is none to dispute, From the centre all round to the &e<i lam lord ol the fowl and the brute.” Two ideals of World-Empire arc balanced oh the scales ol the future, and the direction of the march of our present civilis: tion upwards or do * nwards depends upon the issue of the strength, and yet some men will not heed to the cry, “Your King and Country Need You.” This is what raises this war above all others. To die, battling for the right is the gladdest fate that can befall us. To be wounded in this war is to bo enrolled in the ranks of humanity’s warriors. Great Britain’s ideal is one of freedom; of oven increasing self-govern-ment along their own lines; of a supreme government broad-based upon the people’s will; of fair and just treatment of undeveloped races, aiding, not enslaving them; it embodies the embryo of the splendid democracy of the future; of the new civilisation, co-op-erative, peaceful, artistic, just and free—a Brotherhood of Nations, whether the nations are inside or outside of that World-Empire. This is Great Britain’s ideal. Contrast it with that of Germany’s and “choose ye this day whom ye shall serve.” Enlist on the side of righ, and with a stout heait and resohTte will, fearing God and honouring the King, let us go forth and do whatsoever our hands find to do and do it with a might. Thanking you for the space. I am, etc. F. G. BLAKE.