ANTI-CONSCRIPTION LEAGUE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24, 28 July 1911, Page 4

ANTI-CONSCRIPTION LEAGUE.

WELLINGTON BRANCH FORMED. Following on the meeting of the anticonscriptionists at His Majesty's Theatre on Sunday evening last, a meeting of those opposed to compulsory military training was held at Godber's Rooms last evening. (There was an attendance of about ninety persons. Mr. W. Scott Bedford « elected to th» chair, but before business was commenced Mr. Freeman pointed out that the advertisement calling the meeting invited only thc-ae who objected to the Act to attend. He asked that those present who were not in favour of the objects of the league to either retire or remain silent spectators. The question whether > it was advipable that the press remain was also raised. After some discussion a division was taken, only five voting for the exclusion of the reporters. Mr. Bedford' said the meeting was called for tho purpose, of forming a, strong committee to fight the penal clauses of 1 the Compulsory Military^ Training Act. Bfifore proceeding with his address, how- [ ever, he pointed out that the movement was in no seune a Socialistic one, and those interested objected to be dubbed Quakers and Socialists. Mr. Bedford then delivered an address on the lines of his speech at His Majesty's Theatre on Sunday last. There I was some comment from the opposition j present, and e\entually one was allowed I to ppeak on assuring the chairman that he also objected io certain clauses in the Act. It transpired, however, that his objection na.s that the Act did not go far enough, He considered that fathers who objected to their Fons undergoing training, and who did their utmost to defeat the objects of the Act, should al?o be penalised. The speaker was shouted down, and no other member of the opp(*. Mtion was allowed n. hearing. After a good deal of irrelevant talk, Dr. Couzens moved : — "That a branch of the Anti-Congciiption League be formed in Wellington. ATr. H. Bodky seconded. On the motion being cairied, the opposition (about twenty young men) departed, singing "God Save the King," a storm of hisses following them as they trooped j down the stairs. The fifty 0? so persons trlio lemaiued then proceeded with the election of officers, the result being as follows : -"-Presidient, Mr. W. 3, Bedford; secretary, Mf. F. Freeman ; treasurer, Dr, CouZens ; committee, Messrs. Henry Bodlpy, W. Miller, Des-, Altlis, JfwPpk\ nT>d White. Jt was decided that other centres be communicated with, with the object of holding a conference before the general elections. It wna ,'lLjo decided that tho boy Corniah, who will be released from gaol on Thursday next, be met at the prison a*le«. A meeting will O.UO b« Iwld at the Sm& y k S^&i Mia null d*& 1