"WE'VE GOT NO COUNTRY."

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 211, 5 September 1911, Page 5

"WE'VE GOT NO COUNTRY."

IN THE EVENT OF WAR. 'WATERSIDE WORKERS WILL DECLARE PEACE. AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT. The proceedings at the Waterside Workers' Conference were more than usually enlivened yesterday afternoon when the attitude of the workers, in the event of England being engaged in war, was discussed. A remit was moved by Mr Terry (of Wellington) to the following effect: "Should England declare war on any other nation, we, as workers, unite with workers of other nations in declaring peace."' Mr Terry said that it was a matter that required very serious consideration on the part of the workers, and it was time they expressed their opinions on the subject. If the men, in the event of England declaring war on another nation, took a firm stand and were in agreement, they could prevent war. (Cries of Hear, hear.) The remarks on the subject from Mr Boardman (Auckland), who seconded the motion, were to the effect that they havi quite enough to do to fight for their own existence, without taking part in other people's quarrels. What did it matter to them whether they were under tho German flag or any other. He said the workers got no more to live on. At thiß there were one or two expressions of dissent, but the majority of the delegates were silent. Mr Schofield (Auckland), displaying some heat, said the workers were only used as tools, and when they fought they gained nothing by it. "We haven't got any country," he said, "we haven't got any flag." They could, if organised, refuse to produce the munitions of war. Mr Goodall (Greymouth) said it w-'js necessary for them to prepare to defend themselves, as he believed the time wis coming when they would be called upon to do so. Compulsory training, he admitted, was for too long a period in New Zealand, but every young man shonld be instructed how to defend his country. That was not teaching them to murder."

Mr Schofield: "It is murder." Mr Goodall: "When the time comes are we going to sit down and be shot? We are now organising to protect ourselves in business, and I think there ought to to be some system to enable us to defend ourselves in time of war."

Mr Heed (Lyttelton) said that they sliouid do aJJ in th.iir power to .stop the horrors of war. U the labour organisations of all countries combined they could avert war taking place. Speaking of the military 6ystem, Mr Reed said he was opposed to the present scheme. Also he objected to the attitude taken up by some people who called him or anyone else unpatriotic because they were not in sympathy with compulsory training. He 'was a volun teer under the old system, and if they had not starved that system it would not have been found necessary to have a scheme such as they bad at present. Mr Canham said he believed in the ■volunteering principle, but was nruca against compulsory training. Mr Scho&eld: I would like to ask Mr Canham if he thinks it consistent with trades unionism to -agree with the old system of volunteering? Can he consistently belong to the volunteers, who have been utilised to shoot down strikers? Mr Canham replied that he was now too old for volunteering, but he still approved of volunteering, and would allow his sons to become volunteers shouid they desire it. Mr Voyce: I should like to ask Mr Canham why he supports sireh a thing? The sons might be called out to shoot him as a striker. Mr Canham: I know too well that the spirit I have inculcated into my sons would stop them doing this. lam not afraid of that. Mr Canham moved an amendment to the effect that the resolution should include "any other country." It would not be faiir to pledge themselves to do this thing if the workers of other nations did not agree. (Hear, hear.) The mover consented to alter his remit, saying that was the way he intended to express the resolution. Mr Smith (Wellington) supported the remit, and said the Trades and Labour Council were one with the otheT organisations over the matter. On being put to the Conference, the resolution was carried without dissent. REVISION OF RULES. When the Conference resumed this morning, under the presidency of Mr. F. Lurch, the committee appointed reported on the revision of rules ior the New Zealand Waterside Workers. Tljpse were received as amended, and adopted, and it was decided that they should be submitted to the various unions. DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS.

It was decided that as many of the Southern delegates as possible should form themselves into a deputation at Wellington, to wait upon the Ministers, in reference to the" work done at thu conference. ROADSTEAD WORKING. Mr. M'Kay (Wanganui) raised the question of sleeping and dining accommodation provided by the shipping companies to workers on ships in the roadstead. Mr. Voyce moved that no membei of the Waterside Workers' Union should accept employment in the roadstead, where the sleeping and dining accommodation %s not satisfactory. The motion was carried. ABSOLUTE FREEDOM OF OPINION. Another discussion took place yesterday afternoon at the meeting of the Auckland Ministers' Association in connec tion with the New Zealand Defence Act. The matter was brought up through a letter forwarded by Mr. J. E. Taylor, and this led to a general discussion upon the question of compulsory military training. The trend of discussion showed the Ministers felt they were being misrepresented by a certain section of the community on account of the attitude taken up at a previous meting when the question of peace versus war was under consideration. The ministers wished to make it perfectly dear to the public of Auckland that they had aktays been united in supporting any movement that had fox its object either the peace of the individual, the nation, or the world. On that point the members of the Association were absolutely united in their support. The speakers, however, also made it clear that the Defence Act just passed by the Parliament of New Zealand was not primarily a question of peace or war, bat had for .its object tfxe tmfapnf of the jooog man

of the Dominion for defence. The Association considered that was a subject upon which it was not necessary to divide, since the whole of the Ministers are thoroughly in favour of peace as compared with war, having advocated it for years. It was therefore agreed to leave the question of the right to compulsory train young- men for the defence of the country to the individual opinion of members. The following resolution was therefore ultimately adopted:— " That this association expresses its whole-hea.rted sympathy with every effort that is being made to further the cause of peace in the world. It further expresses its willingness to co-operate with any who seek to promote the cause of peace. The association, however, does not feel called upon to express any view with regard to the Niew Zealand Defence Act, this not being primarily a question of peace or war. Each member of the association is free to express his own views."