THE CALL TO SERVICE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15488, 15 January 1916, Page 9

THE CALL TO SERVICE.

A DUXIiDIN UESOLUTIOX. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIX, January 14. A well-attended unity Platform meeting was held here to-night at tnc Town Hal] stops. The Mayor presided. Mr Waters, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, in the unavoidable absence of the president, proposed, and Mr W. H. Warren, of tho Carpenters' Union, seconded the platform's resolution : 'That New Zealand should set an example of unity by organising to the full its capital ! and man power for the war, and requests that Parliament be called together for that purpose: and undertakes to absolutely support the National Government in ar.v steps it decides to take towards victory." Professor .Bedford spoke forcefully in support of the* motion. Air Robinson explained the platform and said that only by great and immediate exsvnple could New Zealand help to avert tho calamity of a general strike at Home. The motion was carried unanimously. TO THE KDITOIt OF ''THE I'RESS." Sir, —I agree with every word contained in Mr C'hatfield's letter in yesterday's issue. In my opinion he is one of the few who can take a sane and logical view of the present crisis. J think tho proposal to issue badges to a certain class who are ineligible for tho I front is the height of absurdity. It is practically an admission that the ordinary law cannot be put into operation against those who deliberately annoy and insult young men who have not enlisted, because they cannot, and is thereby an encouragement to mob law, and all that that means. Besides, how can our present military system be voluntary if any irresponsible person is permitted by the authorities to act towards alleged shirkers in an unlawful manner? What right has any member of the community to interfere with the liberty of another member? I know for a fact that there are people in Christchurch who have in an insidious manner made cruel reflections upon young men without ever having taken the trouble to ascertain what were tho real facts. Cannot the criminal law of libel be called into requisition- in such cases? If a case were lodged, would the authorities simply say: "We are sorry for you, but if you -want to escape persecution by Tom, Dick, and Harry, we will give you a bit of ribbon to wear"? I have every sympathy with a gunnine patriot; ho docs not parade his loyalty, but I loathe that spurious r>atriotism which seems to exist in some people: I have only one name for it— humbug.—Yours, etc., BRITISHER. January 14th.