THROUGH GERMAN SPECTACLES

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1909, Page 4

THROUGH GERMAN SPECTACLES

TO TSJB SDlTai*. Sir, — In reading your issuo of the 17lh inst. I was struck by two sentiments ex- N pressed by Mr. M'Laren on the recent issues of the School Journal. Amongst a div of words' warfaro for increased armaments and defence it comes as an oasis in the desert of peace-loving cosmopolitan opinion. Speaking as one who having left his home and fatherland for no other reason than the necessity of serving it, being compelled by the self-same Imperialism or greed for it, it strikes did more forcibly than it does the average citizen. Our people (the Germans) are being pressed down by a burden of taxation, which is becoming every day more irksome to them, driving out the best of her manhood to seek a livelihood and habitation amongst the English-speaking races of America and Australasia. We find after having reared a family in this country, and placed them in school for their education, they have to undergo the self-ssuno process oi imperialistic teaching which indirectly* 1 was the cause of our being driven out of Germany. Imperialism first, compulsory military training, then conscription. Germany passed through the first two stages, and now she is in the throes of the third. Will New Zealand follow or be led by the jingoes of Britain? This country is undergoing a peaceful invasion, aud while tho worker of any country is made welcome and efiven equal opportunities thie country need never fear war. While the worker here reoogniee* that ho has no quarrel with the German worker we may live on in peace, and let our jingo friends howl about their Dreadnoughts and. compulsory military training. We will find that tho best defence that we can give is an education to our children on free, secular, non-political, and cosmopolitan linen, with equal opportunity for all"; also teach them a little more of the real brotherhood of man. — T am, etc.. GEOMF. FAHRLAND. 18lh May.