National Service

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 8

National Service

In an Interview reported yesterday the Minister for National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, said much that was .encouraging and invigorating. Harder work, more resolute effort, the organisation of a united people’s total strength, resources, and business capacity, and an end to “ pettifogging industrial disputes, the seeking of “ concessions here and there, and profiteering of “ any kind these were Mr Semple’s demands, and the country welcomes and will tirelessly follow the leadership that makes them and presses forward. From the Minister entrusted with the new portfolio of National Service this lead is expected. His responsibility is critical. The powers with which he is equipped to fulfil it are unlimited. The people of New Zealand know, without his assurance, that Mr Semple understands this and will not spare his own energy or waver from his determination. His are the qualities wanted in'his present post, and they ensure him the confidence necessary for his success in it. But it seems desirable to say that in on© respect Mr Semple fumbled his plain message. It will be a pity if he confuses himself or confuses others upon a plain issue. He explained that, while he held wide powers of compulsion, he was convinced that “ voluntary “service is always best” and would not use them unless obliged to do so. Then, of course, he would use them without fear or favour. But it is not a question of the coercion of unwilling service, which, as the Minister truly enough says. Is likely to be inferior to service voluntarily given. The will of the nation to serve is beyond all doubt and all compromise. It is strong in ©very community, every section of CVsry community. If there are Individual exceptions, the Minister himself knows £ow few they are and what they .are. He knows that, they cannot prevent or defeat cooperation between him and the people, in whom fce has "complete confidence.” But half the # Victory of organisation is speed. As Mr Coates yjghtly sand in the House of Representatives, #|| we tarry democracy to the point where it

“ ties us by the legs, we are not doing our job, “ because the essential is speed.” Communities, classes of workers, and individuals are as yet unorganised for full service, because they do not know what is expected of them, how it is to be done, and where. The process of getting men and women to the place and kind of their most necessary and valuable service will be slow and it will be wasteful, unless it is firmly and promptly directed. Its problems cannot and must not be left to be solved as they are normally and democratically solved. Individuals and groups cannot solve them, because conditions and requirements are beyond their knowledge; and there is no time for the methods of trial and error,. The Government must take readiness for granted, and take advantage of it. The willing servant, military, manual, or professional, who is told’where he is required and what he is to do is in no invidious sense “ compelled ”; he is chosen. This is the compulsion the Minister is authorised to use, and he need not and should not hesitate. He said himself, later in his statement, that workers would “ have to go “ where work was to be done. There could be “no such thing as a man choosing his place. “He had to fit into the team and pull his “ weight.” That, nothing more and nothing less, is what every sort of worker wants.