Social Democrats and the War.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15335, 20 July 1915, Page 6

Social Democrats and the War.

Most people in New Zealand are under the impression that with the exception of a very tiny section of the publicsome of the Germans in our midst and a number of pacifists—everyono is whole-heartedly devoted to tho Imperial caiiso in this war. Wo have moro than onco expressed the opinion that thi. impression is a mistaken one, and iv© havo pointed out tho significance of the fact that the Social Democrats and their Parliamentary representatives have for the most oart maintained an unsympathetic silence, and have done nothing to assist the discharge of New Zealand's duty. At tho recent Red Fed Congress there was a discussion which seems to mako it clear that tlio Social Democrats do not sliaro the general feeling of tho public that New Zealand's most pressing duty is to assist in the war by every means available to her. This discussion was not reported or oven referred to in the official summaries supplied to the daily newspapers, and it is right that tho public should know something- about it. A resolution wns proposed protesting against the action of various trade unions in closing their books against certain applicants for membership, and the resolution concluded that "unionists " generally be advised to refrain from "enlisting until the closed, unions aro ** thrown open to all legitimate "workers." An amendment w*as proposed, and ultimately agreed to, which had the effect of cutting off tlio tail of the resolution, but we are son-,- to say that this amendment was made, li-jt because the Congress really disapproved of the spirit of it, but because it was not thought wise to affront the public. The Hon. J. T. Paul, for example, in seconding thc amendment, explained that bo did so because the Congress should not "do anything "which would militate against"' the n-ain proposal. "If the resolution " were carried as moved." he said, "it " would certainly be misunderstood." Mr Semple said "it was not a thing ■' to be proud of that the trade mi-on- " ist s °f *he world had flocked to " murder one another." Ho quoted thc Chriatchuxch Opposition journal

as having said that tho wealthy people had not gone to tho war. but had remained behind to rob the wives of the -.Yorkers who had gone to the front, and he added that "whon the story of " the war came to bo written, it would "be found that not only would tho " Kaiser be held guilty, but quite a "number of people who were noiv eulo. " gised and who were flag-flapping "also." Ono delegate "objected to " the Conference sanctioning trade " unionists going to war," and with the exception of one member, who was odd enough to maintain that no union should instruct him as to his actions on matters outside of unionism, practically nil tho speakers showed themselves wholly unfriendly to the spirit which has sent so many thousands of our young men to tho Dardanelles. It is a serious offence, of course, to nrevent or dissuade roeu from joining the Army, and the Government miglit with advantage mako general the prohibition affecting employers in tho Expeditionary Forces Bill. In tho meantime the public will do well to note that the Rod Fed or Social Democrat party aro not unwilling to work against the Empire, and for tho Germans, in the furtherance of their own ends.