AUSTRALIA'S ANSWER

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 13, 15 January 1918, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S ANSWER

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—When Mr. O'Regan writes to you on 10th January saying that his .letter of 21st inst. has offended me, he again mistakes my attitude and confuse 6 hi» dates. Mr. O'Regan amuses me. and' when lie writes.on the 10th inst. to say. what he wrote on the 21st inst. he will have amused others also.- Some might ask': What has "been happening to Mr. ..Q'Began? ' But, ; to" ;be ;.-serious, Mr. Q'Regan's inaccuracy is here exemplified. It would be unwise to assert in explanation that "even Homer nods."

I would not, liave bothered about Sir.' O'Regan's letter at all but for the fact that he was, being a. man of some ability and intelligence; palpably endeavouring; to mislead the'read erg of The Post, of whom I am one. ,

Mr:-O'Regan stated' in his letter-of the. 21st December' that the/Borden Government qf 'Canada, had. won the'conscription issue by a:trick, -and he added:. "The Borden Government appealed to the country after disfranchising the vast majority of its opponentis." That, 1 said, is not a statement of fact, and- Mr. O'Regan knows it. When a, writer is wrong in his facts, his opinions upon such facts'are of no consequence. • And that was the inference I desired should be. drawn from my first "letter;, and that;. Mr. O'Reguu's charge; of trickery against the Borden Government was based upon a statement invented by Mr. O'Regan himself. I regret that I have to make the point plainer-'for 1 Mr. O'Regan, remembering that non ex quovis lingo mercurius fit. .

As to Australia, the newspapers of Wellington have provided evidence that the Caucus Party of Australia invented tales about the operation of New Zealand's .form of. conscription to defeat its institution in the Commonwealth; and the news-< paper's*: in Australia have attributed the recent voto-there to that party's "practice of misrepresentation." We are. not for conscription as' a, general' policy. But this war is being fought for the overthrow of autocracy and militarism, and it ia essential to destroy the. autocracy and militarism of Germany, with all its intrigue, cruelty, and abomination, to usa the very weapon by which Junkerism was established. . Blood and iron must be destroyed by blood and iron. Fair words, argument, and "scraps of paper" are worthless. Temporary conscription for the destruction of conscription ao practised in Germany must bo employed. And despite their misleaders it is a fair tribute to the democracies of the AngloSaxon race (excepting the Caucus Party in Australia) that they have accepted temporary conscription ,as the only equitable basis of personal national' Service at a. time when democratic government, as opposed to autocratic rule, is being threatened with destruction.

I have said that. Australia's answer to the call for more men is.her disgrace. Mr. O'Rega-n quotest- Burke' that it is impossible to indict a whole nation! That is true, but it is : not relevant to the issue! A person and a nation may be disgraced^ but their disgrace may not be indictable. The poor.sparrow,,her young ones in her nest, will fight against a hawk ; and the, man, being fit, who will not fight for his country is not worthy ia enjoy the liberties and privileges that country offers, and his spirit is poorer than that of a sparrow who would defend Australia's answer at this crisis,in our national existence. "■. ■■■ .

.Let,ma conclude: A, great people's power 1 is found in their ability to confirm, and convey to succeeding generations the "liberties won by the pevsonal bravery and 1 sacrifice of their fathers. Australia has come very near to proving herself an unworthy inheritor of past, privileges so dearly won. Like the prodigal, she may come to herself; but it will not be by th« aid of, such .wardy. ebullitions -as M?~O'Eegan has to offer. They would only confirm her in her disgrace.-—I am. etc., aT. D. SIEVWRIGHT. . 14th January. ■