The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1916. THE ANTI-CONSCRIPTIONIST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 60, 15 June 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1916. THE ANTI-CONSCRIPTIONIST.

It is almost beyond belief that there are people within this Dominion who profess to have the welfare of the Empire at heart, and who yet, in face of the stern necessity for men and still more men to aid in crushing the world's greatest menace, will raise their voices against conscription, now that it has been plainly shown that there is no other way to obtain the ,„<>„ we must have. A pamphlet is being circulated, signed by no one, but purporting to emanate from the "National Peace Council," whatever that ill-advised body may be, expressing its "unqualified condemnation" of the .Military Service Bill. We cannot afford to stand on nice points in these serious times, and therefore it 'is out of the question to permit academic argument on the question of voluntaryism or compulsory service. Such a. disloyal "protest" as that to winch we refer ought to lie sufficient cause to put the author or authors in prison : if they had done such a thing in Hunland they would have been shot. Such "protest" must obviously have a deterring effect on enlistment, and the Government should drop a word of warning regarding such ignoble efforts. The anti-eonscriptionist, whether he or she is really merely ignorant but honest-minded, or a shirker and enemy of the State, has no place to-day in this Dominion. For a whole week the Military Service Bill was before Parliament, was freely debated, and fully supported, the people's representatives realising that no other course but compulsion is now open to us. Some ridiculous and futile deputations have been bothering the Premier, but it is to be hoped that he will not allow any more of his valuable lime to be wasted by such wrongheaded persons. There are deeds to

: ! -i' done for the Umpire, and we want ! ii'' obstacles or from v.itli- ; m am own country. In the War Roi gulation Act wide powers are confer--1 | red upon the Administration, and we

arc sure all si""' and loyal subjects would heartily support the Government it' it decided to suppress all anti- ' conscription leagues at once. To protost against national service on the grounds that it is "taking away British liberty" is so utterly foolish that it ought to obtain an Iron Crors for those who argue so: the Imroourlevs

! Hun could hardly put forward a more I feeble falsehood. British liberty, the I grandest possession we have to-day, can only l)o hold by winning the war. There would !>o no Liberty for us or for any nation, if Gorman militarism succeeded, but until this war is over, we must i.ieet militarism with militarism, and by its temporary use prevent the yoke being placed for ever on our necks. ' r hero are doubtless those who honestly dislike compulsion, and they may keep, it away-by urging all theyj can to voluntarily enlist. If, however, they are ill-advised enough to merely v;et in the way of the enlist-: iiient, thov must be restrained. I