SIR JOSEPH WARD'S CHANGE OF FRONT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 14

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S CHANGE OF FRONT.

Sir,—Referring t'o the letter signed "Radical," in your issue of August 11, 1 quote I'uskin: "In general all fatal falso reasoning proceeds from people's having some one false notion in their hearts with which they are resolved all their reasoning shall comply." I am strouglv of opinion that 'air Joseph Ward was "quite justified in making the clmngo he did for tho best of reasons, viz., fo improve tho defence power of tho country in tho lace of the existing circumstances that were going on in other countries. It is lo be expected (here ever will bo dissent' of some kind, but if over tho country has to meet an enemy the cowards who now try (o shirk enrolment would be tho first lo look after their own skills, leaving the fighting to be done brothers. True citizenship includes the duty of defence of one's country. Passengers on liritish ships may be called on by tho officer in cliargo lo do anything they can for tho ship's safety in ease of emergency, which would include defence with arms by mi enemy, pirates, or others, and in case of refusal, such cowards would be (uickly dealt with. The Auckland Mngis;rat'e met tho Cliristadclphian objector splendidly. Tho Apostle teache.s nbodicnco lo tho law and tho King, his representative Governors (I Peter 2, 1.1, 1(). There is profound respect for Quakers as a people and justly so, but even George Fox erred though a most saintly man. There is 110 mystery in t'lio subject, it is the plain duty of every man lo defend bis home as the apprentice boys of Dcrry did long ago. I walked vouiid the great

lirap nf their bones, in'.erred in one great mound just inside (he Cathedral gate. Knt.ering the Church 1 read the monumental slabs of a great number of llie names of those who died gloriously for their home., and their faith, and 1 had the great honour of ascending and standing un top of the monument to the Hev. George Walker, under whose command the city was defended successfully through severities hardly over surpassed. I think New Zealand might well take courage and put their feet down, and carry into practice in their enlire conduct, as citizens .of their beautiful country, tho principles of righteousness which exalted a nation, and stamp out the Keir-Ilardic type of mis-chief-making wasps, who are making their living in a country that, in the early days had to be fought fur, the present generacion enjoying the benefit of our pioneers' braverv.—i am, ctc., HIBERNIAN.