NEW ZEALAND'S SPIRIT.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16219, 23 May 1918, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND'S SPIRIT.

SIR WILLIAM CULLEN'S VIEWS

Sir William Cullen, Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of the State, who lias just returned from a holiday in Now Zealand, was much impressed with the work the Dominion was achieving in connexion with the war. Wherever he went ho found a splendid spirit among the people (says tho "S3'dney Dailv Telegraph" of loth inst.). "Of course," said his Honour yesterday, "tho hardships necessarily consequent upon such a law as they have there makes itself felt, but there seems to bo a whole-hearted detrmination on tho part of the people generally that nothing shall stand in tho way of the prosecution of tho war. Just within the last fortnight a fresh draft was levied, including young married men with an only child. In many cases there were men who had just started for themselves in business, men who were beginning to make their way, setting up homes for themselves, and, naturally, their calling up produced hardship. But, notwithstanding, every one of thoso who wero called recognises that tho system of compulsory service is a fair, a just, and a patriotic one.

"They have grievances there," continued Sir William Cullen, "as they hive in other parts of tho world, but the authorities have a very short way of dealing with them. A good deal of comment was made on tho sentences passed upon those who refused to serve, and somo heat was engendered in Christclnirch, while I was in the Dominion, over complaints concerning provision being made for families and dependants, but that was used by just a few a.s an excuse for utterances which wero < subsequently brought before the Magistrates' Courts. , Tho general feeling there, however, is that if tho community is going to do its duty in this world struggle, this is not the timo for persons passing resolutions and proclaiming to the world what fine fellows they are. It is simply a case of taking your coat off and doing things in a business-like fashion. The authorities, while they aro strict in enforcing the law, are sympathetic and considerate so far as the situation permits. They realiso that the whole safety of tho outlying parts of the Empire depends upon every ounce of effort beiii"- thrown into the contest. They know that if Samoa got back to tho Germans, New Zealand would not bo safe for a week, and, of course, what applies to New Zealand applies tt> Australia. With tho Germans in Samoa. Australia would not be safe, because tliero you would havo a porpctual centre of disturbance within a few days' sail from here. Tho same thing may be said of other places. When you consider tho possibility of the Germans renewing the occupation of New Guinea and Samoa the matter becomes ono of burning urgcncv."