CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 December 1939, Page 7

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

RAISED AT TRADES HALL MEETING MR LANGSTONE HECKLED IN AUCKLAND. PROMISE OF STRONG MEASURES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. Deember 19. Sharp cross-talk between the Minister of Lands, Mr Lnngsfone, and a small section of the audience he addressed in the Trades Hall tonight occurred when the issue of conscription was raised in a question. The meeting, comprising representatives of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee and the Auckland Trades Council was generally quiet, but a dissatisfied section made itself heard when the question of conscription and a referendum on it was raised. What the dissentients lacked in numbers, they made up for in loudness of voice and freedom of expression. A measure of criticism was hurled at the Minister, who was accused of being “as bad as Semple,” and he was quick to return the compliment in a few hastily, but well-chosen words. A questioner asked the Minister whether the Government would take a referendum on the question of conscription if the appeal for volunteers for the second echelon of the Special New Zealand Military Force failed. “Great Britain can live without us. and we cannot live without her,’’ the Minister began. Voices: "Come on; answer the question; no hedging!” The Minister: “If there is going to be conscription, there is going to be conscription of wealth. It will mean that you and I will be on soldier’s ration and soldier’s pay, and if it is going to be that, it will be the greatest step forward to collective Socialism, because, when it is over, the psychology will have been established.” “If there are not enough volunteers for the next echelon, and we have to take strong measures, it will be 100 per cent,” the Minister added. “Everyone will be in it. There will be one common rule and regimentation and the greatest opponents to it will be capitalists and Communists.” A voice: “What we want to know is this: Are we going to have a referendum before conscriptipn?”

The Minister: “We have been elected; A referendum was taken at the last election.” Voices: “No, not on conscription.” Mr Langstone: “It would be a matter governed by circumstances. We stand pledged to support the programme that has been laid down.” A voice: “Will you take a referendum, or won’t you?” The Minister referred to the importance of winning the war and mentioned the term "Communist.’’ This brought cries of “You're as bad as Semple” and “Listen to the abuse" from one or two of his most persistent questioners. A brief lull was put to full advantage by the chairman, who promptly called for a vote of thanks to the Minister. A vote of thanks and of support for the Government was carried, with one or two dissentient voices. Those who voted against the resolution did not accept an offer by the chairman to have their names recorded in the minutes of the meeting.