CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 February 1940, Page 6

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE

BOROUGH COUNCIL WITHHOLDS

OPINION NO MANDATE RECEIVED FROM RATEPAYERS. MATTER ONE FOR GOVERNMENT. The Masterton Borough Council as a body refused to express an opinion about conscription, when a letter from the Defence League came before it last night, asking for support for the adoption of compulsory military service. Several councillors, however, stating their personal views, said conscription was the only fair and equitable course to take. Councillor H. E. Gardner said he considered that the matter did not come within the function of the council at all. “You are quite right." observed the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan. Councillor Gardner proceeded to say that the council as a body should not ' express an opinion one way or ano-“ ther. The council should not set out to tell the Government its job. "We have not got a mandate from the ratepayers to tell the Government what to do," said Councillor Gardner, who moved that the letter be received. Seconding the motion. Councillor G. W. Morice agreed that the matter was quite outside the province of the council. "I think perhaps the Defence League is trying to justify its existence by stirring up a little more argument for conscription," he said. "I have nothing against defence measures and conscription may have to come, but the best body to judge that is the Government. I don’t believe any organisation should interfere in this matter.". Councillor R. Russell agreed that it was not the council's place and that it was a matter for the Government to deal with. “We as a council have no mandate to express a view on the matter." said Councillor G. D. Wilson, who added, however, that he could not let the oc-1 casiori pass without expressing his own personal opinion. That was very emphatically that there was only one fair and equitable way to deal with the matter and that was by the adoption of conscription. "I agree with you." said the Mayor. Councillor Trevor Beetham also concurred with the views of the previous speaker. The motion to receive the letter was carried unanimously.