WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1916, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

1 • POLrrids And people,- a. (Special Correspondent.) "• WELLINGTON, January 10. ' CONSCRIPTION. PrbfSsS'br EL Mackenzie, a half-brother to the late Sif John Mackenzie, who, unlike the rugged land refofmer of the nineties, has preserved the Correct spelling of the family name, delivered aii address in the Unitarian Church here last night which put the question Of conscription in a way that ought to appeal to every earnest patriot in the country. If the Recruiting Board realises what counts with the public, and how milch Weight attaches to the opinion of the professor it will have the text of the address, which really was an eloquent lay sermon distrubutcd broadcast from one end of the Dofninon to the other. The professor claimed that New Zealand had "the most soundly deihocratic and sanely socialistic political system in the wbfld," and maintained that on this account the system embodying the great ideal of " reciprocal relations between the individual and the State" every Socialist in the present crisis should be a conscriptionist. "The irrational Socialist," he Said, "keeps harping on the obligation of the State to him, without for a second thinking of his obligation to the State." Tp this illogical person he quoted' the scriptural' injunction: "Whatsoever yoii would that men should do unto you, do you also unto them," and this was the basis of His whole appeal. THE MAN AND THE STATE. The professor does not believe in militarism or in conscription; but, he says, ''until the nations of the world are ; n fairly genefal agreement against militarism, it would be disastrous for ub as a nation to dispense with out armaments and our afriiies. If we are militarists arid conscriptionists," he adds, "it is only because dire necessity has made us sb. J " But fie would not stop short at what jie calls cOihmandeering the individual. He would see that when the individual-did his duty to the State, the State did its duty to the individual. " Drastic taxation of capital and of large incomes—especially of those of bachelors and childless married peOple—and a comprehensive system of military- life insurance at the expense of the State must," he maintains, "in all justice and equity, accompany conscription." He would exact mOro from the man who invests money in land than from tho "parent capitalist" who expends his money on bringing up a large family, and would provide that the dependents of a maimed or fallen soldier should bo no poorer in this world's goods.for the loss of their j bread-winner. The professor has placed himself on good terms even with the anti-militarists by contending that it s the height of cowardice and bullvism" to ask boys under twenty-one years oi age to fight our battles while the services of older men are available. He would raise the military age to twentvfive, and extend it to fifty, and wouid make men up to sixty liable for noncombatant duties. Here are fresh problems for the Government to consider. RECRUITING BOARD. .. .e Thl W? ecri ' it "'S B^rd . consisting of the Prime Minister, the Minister of finance, and the Minister of Defence, held its first meeting on Satufdav. It is understood that the draft of the new recruiting scheme has been prepared, and that it provides for smaller districts and the employment of a number of amateur helpers. So far the country districts have been scarcely touched in the campaign for more men, hut it is hoped the division of the Dominion info counties may fesult iri a quickening of local enthusiasm and a much more satisfactory response to the Ministers' reiterated.ap; peals. One of the difficulties in the waj> of the Boafd is the confidential nature of the information supplied for the National Register. This information cannot, of course, be distributed broadcast throughout the country, and yet without having it in their possession the local committees will scarcely know how to proceed. The idea is that each of these committees should make a per; sonal appeal to every man of military, age in its district and that where diffi: culties concerning eriiploymerit Or dependents ex,ist it should do its best tb remove the'ih. It is hoped that by these means the remaining reinforcements may be assured .bf.theif; full complements arid the te'lk'bf conscription finally silenced. POLITICAL GOSSIP.: There have been meetings of the Executive and of the Cabinet to-day, and they have been followed by the, usual speculations on a variety of subjects;. An impression is abroad that the Ministerial trip HOme is again being seriously discussed by the Cabinet, and that it will take' place earlier than seemed probable a few weeks ago. Mf. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward would not go to London with the expectation of participating in the peace demonstration, but, they may think it desirable to be in the great metropolis while certain financial arrangements are being discussed. The popular, opinion is that the Prime Minister would be quite content to leave the whole business to Sir Joseph if some bf his friends were not a little jealous for his prestige antt a little alafhied leSt Sir" Joseph should profit unduly from a nibribpoly of the limelight. On the other Hand, some timid Liberals point out that if the Minister of- Finance went alonethe party balance in the Cabinet would, be seriously disturbed with grave./dis-: advantage to the Liberal element. Their" fears probably are j*foTrridless enough; but they may influence the leaders iri coming to a decision, If both Mr. Massey and Sif Joseph Ward should makefile trip, a short session of Parliament Would be necessary before their oepar--ftife, and concerning this the public is bound to hear something in the near future.