CONSCRIPTION TO BE OPPOSED

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25766, 30 March 1949, Page 6

CONSCRIPTION TO BE OPPOSED

FEDERATION FORMED AT WELLINGTON

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 28. A Peace and Anti-Conscription Federation was formed at a conference held in Wellington during the weekend of 30 organisations. A report supplied to newspapers says that its principal aim is “actively to oppose the introduction of peace-time conscription, militarism, war propaganda, and any other activities which may lead to the making of a third world war.” The report adds that the organisations represented included trade unions, among them the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, peace organisations, pensioners’ associations, student and youth bodies, and others opposed to conscription. The immediate activity of the organisation is embodied in the decisions of the conference: (1) To approach the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) to give expression to the views of those opposed to conscription; (2) to organise a deputation to the Federation of Labour for the same purpose; (3) to urge the Government to reduce expenditure on armaments and to spend the money thus saved on housing, education, physical culture, and other constructive purposes; (4) to approach the Ministers of Education and Defence on the question of the virtual conscription of youth in secondary schools.