LAW MUST BE OBSERVED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 86, 11 April 1912, Page 8

LAW MUST BE OBSERVED.

DESPITE ANY UNPLEASANTNESS. THE MINISTER'S REPLY. The Minister, in replying, said the ar guments'the deputation had need had in no way altered the opinion he held formerly. One speaker had asked, what had he got to defend? There was no class in the community which v/as more affected by the question of defence than the workers, and he took strong exception to the statement that the'workeis had nothing to. defend. Jn the first place, they must admit that the workers in New Zealand as a class were better off than in any other country in the world. Secondly, he had yet to learn that the worker cared less for hie wife and family than any other cla6s of the community, and therefore, holding as he did that it was the duty of each individual to serve the State in protecting the State, and thereby protecting his hearth and home and dear ones, he considered "that the, Act was of special interest to the working classes in New Zealand. It had also been suggested that the enforcement of the Act would mean unpleasantness to tho Government. He could only say, that, as far as he was concerned, as Defence Minister, it was clearly his duty to administer the lav/, despite any unpleasantness that might arise through that administration He wao prepared to accept his responsibility. NAILING THE COLOURS. "You have, of course, nailed your colours to the^mast," continued the Alinister, "and it is necessary for me to do likewise* As far as I am concerned, so long as I am Defence Minister, it will be clearly my duty to administer the luw. I shall be no party to seeing that the Jaw is broken, and 1 take exception to the remarks that have been made that the authorities have only enforced it in some districts and not in others. If that is so, it will bo enforced in all districts. It is my duty to administer the law, and it is my duty to see that there is respect shown to the law, and I shall be no party to seeing th« law held in disrespect. Everybody will be treated alike. A voice : You will have to build more prisons. / mO . The Minister went on to say that, as far as imprisonment was concerned, there was no doubt there would be an alteration of the law in that direction. In regard to disabilities, they might be disagreeable, but that was the Act. He believed they were quite sincere and quite conscientious in their objections, bat they must be prepared to accept the disabilities which the Legislature- imposed. "TYRANNY"— A MISCONCEPTION. Why, he askedi should they take exception to the Act? A voice: Tyranny. The Minister said ho failed to sco it. It was a misconception. Every boy or man who had gone through a camp had been greatly pleased, and he believed from, his own experience that they cams out better men physically and morally. {'/No, uo.")' That was his honest conviction, and he offered any of them the chance of going to a camp and making firbt-hand investigation for themselves. If they did that ho felt perfectly sure they would come away with a different opinion. STATE RIGHTS AND INDIVIDUAL DUTY. They were aiming' at efficiency. The State had rights, and individuate had duties to perform to the State. They did not de&iro to create a military spirit. Thpy were qoiug to physically improve the youths ot Nevr Zealand and show them their responsibilities to tho community, and ho believed that tho reeult would bo in every way eminently satisfactory. "Why make it cornpulfiory?" asked one of the deputation/ and the Minister replied, "Because we beliuve it is the duty of every individual to serve thtr State-.'' "You can't take them all," said someone. "That remains to be seen," repliVd Mr. Myers. In the meanwhile, he added, "I believe that from a physical, social, and industrial point of vrjw, I believe everybody will benefit. We have a glorious heritage handed down to us. (Ironical laughter.) lam sorry to hear you. I feel convinced that if an enemy was to land in New Zealand there would not be a single shirker amongst you." The very existence of the Empire, their very live 6, depended on t-fficient <l«feuce. They said they had nothing to light for. lie said tli*-y had everything to fight for. A voice: You can have my share. Tiie Minister: You ni'ist admit that iheiu'e no pla'.e in Iho world whole you have greater freedom. A voi'-e : We Imp no mouom hero, j Speech has been denied us. Li.uk at our public jneetir.gs. The Police Fcrco i tomes and dispti&e;. them. j Th<* Minister punted out that tho \ rwn'iily luy in their own liandt. Tli'-y uuisi ictum membus. t'> Parliament nli"> would yi\o rn»vi vj their v.ithcs. Il<j would uiit win fot the ivnad of the

Act, which ho h?ld was in the best interests of the people. The object of the Act waii to form a trained body of men which, if occasion arose (which God forbid!) would be capable of fighting for their country and their homes and their Jew* 'ones. They considered that the best way to bring that about was by training 1 every boy. Th» deputation held the ecntiary opinion, but he asked ' them to gi\t> the other side credit for Gincerily. After full consideration they 'would, cf course, take tucli action as they deemed fit. LAW AND ORDER MUST BE MAINTAINED. " Would you be prepared, " asked a member of the deputation, "to amend the Act so as to prevent the forces being us?d in the event of industrial disputes? " "I would not be in favour of that," replied the Minister. " because law and order have to be maintained." (Criee of "Ha. ha," and jeers.) "It is in your own interests-; don't make any mistake." (Laughter, and a voice, " Claf=s distinction. ') "There is no class' distinction. You are just ac much interested in this as I am." A voice: That reply won't be forgotten right throughout New Zealand. After further conversation the deputation withdrew.