CONSCRIPTION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25834, 20 June 1949, Page 5

CONSCRIPTION

Sir, —Although I have the greatest admiration for the profound writings of my revered friend, Sister M. G. Davies, I cannot agree with her view regarding Abraham and Isaac. On the contrary, I believe that countless thousands of fathers exhibited a greater faith when they sent their sons forth in the full and certain knowledge that they would fight and die on the battlefields of the world. Be that as it. may, I prefer to think of their very splendid soldier sons as following in the footsteps of the Great Carpenter, whether they professed a religion or not, and making the supreme sacrifice in order to save the greater pari of the world for the freedom that we enjoy. The issue before us is to decide whether we shall do our traditional duty by cherishing their immortal sacrifices and. prepare to defend our lovely land or, on the other hand, betray them. —Yours, etc.. HERVEY HAMILTON. Redcliffs, June 17. 1949.

Sir, —I would explain to “Conscript” that I do not oppose his nature, but the nature of his views; and reaffirm their former reprobation by further adding that they reflect the incipient extenuation of adolescence. The archaeozoic sagacity of “Conscript” is now adjusted to the boy scout motto, "Be prepared.” He insists that if every country were prepared for war, there would be no war. For what purpose, then, do they prepare? The aversion of war, he replies, and the physical amelioration of the population. Can this wistful conclusion be substantiated by the military history of the twentieth century? What are the experienced facts? An increase in physical, mental, and moral disease, malnutrition, suffering, hate, degeneracy, and the innumerable war memorials erected throughout the world to commemorate the dead. These are the consequences of the preparation for war! For the sake of humanity, no more conscription!—Yours, etc., PETER SWITHIN. June 18, 1949.

Sir,—As a member of the public who has loyally supported the war effort in two world wars, and at heart believed in the principles for which we were fighting, it must be confessed that a feeling of bewilderment exists when one hears all this wild talk of a third world war against an imaginary foe. Memories of youth being trained in the “bull-ring” suggest the annihilation of intelligence. Far better, if young men are to be trained, would be .to teach them the arts of bushcraft, •scouting, and mountaineering. By doing this their-intelligence can be developed and a sense of independence and reliability obtained.—Yours, etc., June 17, 1949.

Sir,—-I am afraid "Security,” with his hastily-formed opinion of my political creed, will be disappointed to know that I belong to one party only —the Labour Party, with the Socialist and human rights programme it promised us. I feel justified in reproving the party when it departs from its policy of no conscrintion in war and in peace. I am still convinced that Mr Holland needs a standing army to control the people and industrial dis--putes, as that is the practice of all Tories in capitalist countries; history speaks for itself. I also still maintain that social evolution is the big headache the Nationalist Party is suffering from.—Yours, etc., H.S. June 16, 1949.

Sir,—Space does not permit one to show the futility and flimsiness of the arguments of the supporters of conscription and to analyse their motives. It is not surprising that militarists, from field-marshals down to the Returned Services’ Association, are hot for conscription. The National Party pretends to fight for individual freedom against totalitarianism. By advocating conscription these people are violating the first principle of personal freedom, viz., the right of the individual to decide about his life and his actions. You cease to belong to yourself; you become a property of the State in the full sense of this word. The conscriptionists, among other things. Stress the superior educational value of the system. Then let us scrap all our educational institutions from kindergarten to university, and fall in line with Soviet Russia. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and imperial Japan. Conscription is the first step to war.—Yours, etc.. BUILD PEACE. June 16, 1949.

Sir, —Were not the hotel-keepers of Lew Zealand warned lately that they must provide fire escapes? Is this really necessary? No one wishes to set fire to the hotels; and the public fire brigades are intended to deal with all emergencies. But are these even necer iry? True, some trivial cause may start a conflagration; but does this justify the expense of keeping a number of men regularly on duty, when labour is so much needed? If the machines were there, would not voluntary help be forthcoming in case of necessity? Why not have a referendum. as is proposed, to decide about service for your army? No one wants war. but it may be sprung upon us suddenly; and have not experts said that lack of training cost New Zealand dear in the world wars? Do the opponents of conscription feel inclined to face the risk?—Yours, etc., COMMON SENSE. June 18, 1949.

Sir, —Mr McAlpine, addressing a women’s meeting on June 15, blamed the Government for not bringing in conscription without passing it on to the people to decide. Anyone would think that it was the Government who went to war, not the sons of the people, who should havft the right 1o decide the issue. I take it that Mr McAlpine’s views have the backing of his party. If so, it is plain to. see the methods which would be used if Mr McAlpine and party were elected.— Yours, etc., OLD DIGGER. Westport, June 16, 1949.