THE WORLD CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 298, 28 September 1938, Page 9

THE WORLD CRISIS

LABOUR AND CONSCRIPTION. QUESTION TO A MINISTER. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 27. Deep regret at the present trend in world affairs was expressed by the Hon. P. Fraser (Minister for Education and Deputy-Leader of the Government) in an election address at Roscneath to-night. “Those of you who have perused to-night’s paper,” said Mr Fraser, “must bo impressed with the very serious position in Europe—a position which has been brought about by dictators trying to bully the world, and: particuarly democratic nations. “I can only say that never did the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations desire peace more devoutly and more sincerely than they do at the present moment. I hope that even at the eleventh hour the war clouds can bo dissolved in spite of what the rulers say.

“My personal belief is that the vast masses of the people do not want to go to war or kill and. destroy each other. It is patent to everybody that Great Britain has never striven to such an extent to bring about peace and obviate the possibility of war as she has done on this occasion. If an ordeal docs come we can only do all we possibly can to support the Motherland in the stand she has taken for peace and for democracy.” At the close of the meeting Mr Fraser was asked whether, in the event of war, the Labour Government would conscript the people of New Zealand for home service of any kind. “I can’t answer that,” Mr Fraser replied, “because I don’t know what modern war means. I hope we don’t have war. One thing I will say is that religious scruples and the consciences of the people will always be respected by the Labour Government, and 1 hope by any government.”