CONSCRIPTION QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 147, 18 December 1915, Page 9

CONSCRIPTION QUESTION

LEADING UNIONISTS' VIEWS.

Writing of. the Labour Representation Committee meeting, convened to consider the question of conscrijDtion, Mr. Ivor Hazell, secretary of the t Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, says in the monthly report of the society: "It is impossible to get the voice of the workers through the unions as we recently found. The highest number of votes recorded by our members for and against one of the most vital questions ever submitted to them in New Zealand was 758 out of a total membership of 4658. . It must be patent to all that in. general the workers do not believe in conscription. An Englishman hates coercion in all its forms, and if a .solid vote were taken of the workers throughout New Zealand, 80 per cent, would vote against conscription. But why does the aforementioned committee interfere with the business that does not concern it? If conscription is necessary, let the Government say so, and enforce it. This is the Govermerrt's prerogative; and any committee that attempts to improve on the work of the representatives of New Zealand, as chosen by the people, will be sure to do more harm than good. But remember, one volunteer is worth a dozen pressed men. Facilities must be forthcoming to induce men to enlist on a larger scale 'than hitherto, and the nicety of those responsible for the passing of the volunteer's mustbroaden, so that 'those who have been rejected for trilling defects may be accepted. It is the ne'er-do-well who is causing all this worry about conscription. Strong, healthy young men are seen abowt the cities, popping in and out of the many fourpenny dives, spending their time in idleness ; and, because these loafers are contented to live a life of shame (and evidently would be satisfied to exist under any Imperial Government- as long as their thirst was assuaged), the authorities seemingly desire to go to the extreme and compel men to go forth to battle. , : . New Zealand has nothing to be ashamed of. The number of men sent and those ready to be sent compares favourably with any part of the world. Volunteers are still coming in, and mer. will continue to enlist—perhaps not so fast as desired, but they will keep on coming, and the gaps made will be filled as time goes on. Zeal should not override sound judgment. The conscription cry has forced many to abstain from coming forward ; it sounds like a threat, and turns men from their willingness to serve. There are ways and means of inducing, men to volunteer for active service without holding a threat over their heads: If you do not go willingly, we will force you." Sir: Hazell suggests that all public men and organised bodies should call for volunteers. If this were done and greater efforts put forth there would be volunteers in abundance. "Conscription's day is not yet."