NATIONAL SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 3

NATIONAL SERVICE

LABOUR'S MIND

FEAR OF "INDUSTRIAL CONSCRIPTION"

MINISTERIAL ASSURANCES.

As a sequel to a recent Labour Conference in Wellington a large deputation called on Ministers of the Crown yesterday to protest against the proposed operation of clause 25 (known as the "National Service 'Clause") of the Finance Act. . The Government was represented by the Acting-Prime Minister , (Sir James Allen), the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald), ithe Minister of .Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries), the Minister of Public Works (Sir William Fraser), and the Minister of Internal Affairs ' (the Hon. G. W. Russell). -, Mr. J. Roberta said that the conference had represented almost two hundred trade unions, about a hundred thousand unionists, and about three hundred thousand of the population. The conference had been unanimously against the v National Service clause, which was regarded by Labour as ari attempt at "industrial conscription." Tiie speaker said that the Government of other countries had consulted* Labour on industrial questions, but New Zealand was an exception. It was held that there was no need whatever for the new legislation; in fact, it was Labour's opinion that an attempt to enforce it would have* an effect exactly opposite to the one which the Government might anticipate. "Mr Roberta gave in detail the arguments which have been published in The Post. The greatest authorities in England, he declared, had condemned the principle of industrial conscription ; if it was not necessary in Britain it should not be necessary in New Zealand. ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION. Mr. A. Black said that there was a .feeling throughout the country that the Government was not dealing justly with the workers, but farmers were allowed to do just as they liked. Farmers were allowed to "go skrvy,," and to cease to grow wheat-r-whioh was: practically a strike— but Labour was suppressed. Sir James Allen said that this charge was not correct. Mr. Black repeated his assertion' that Labour was unfairly treated by the Government, while "farmers fattened on the blood and tears of the people at Home." He said that Labour would be willing to take a reasonable attitude on any really national principle*, provided that the Government had the same treatment for Capital and Labour. Mr. Elston (organiser of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers) said that Labour had not been given, the slightest ] opportunity to offer its assistance to the j Government. Labour had been entirely i ignored. He considered that the Government had not been, wise in leaving Labour out of its counsels. LABOUR AND THE MINISTRY.

Sir James Allen said that when the National Government was formed Labour received an opportunity to be represented in the Ministry, but Labour, as represented in Parliament, had declined the offer. The Government was eager to have the advice of Labour whenever that advice could be of service. He held that the proposed national service was not industrial conscription. He understood by the term national service that when the nation, was in peril it was right that every individual should render some service in the time of trial. In such a time he would, make no distinction between rich and poor. The national service clause had a general application— including premises and plant. It would apply to the employer, the*owner of the workshop, and everybody else concerned in the industries. The promise that Labour would be consulted before regulations were drafted would bo kept, but this matter was not yet at that stage of consideration. Labour would be invited to send representatives to a conference on this subject when this stage was reached. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald gave a reminder that in England many indus-. tries' had been cut down in order to assure the best possible use of the available man-power. Tho Government here did not want conflict, but the co-opera-tion of all classes; ' DEFENCE OF THE FARMER. The farmers, continued Mr. Mac Donald, had to comply with the Military Service Act, just as other folk. Last year the farmers sowed 290,000 acres in wheat: —more than enough for tile Dominion at the .average crop of 28 bushels—but many .acres had not been reaped, and losses had been suffered by some men. There were some farmers who were shirkers, but they were very few. Regulations were being drafted to deal with those farmers who were not doing their 3uty by the State. The Government was .trying to deal out fair and equal justice to all classes. There was no member of the Cabinet antagonistic to Labour. There was not a single member scheming in any way to the detriment of Labour. GENESIS OF THE SCHEME.

The Hon. G. W. Eufeell said he.could claim to represent Labour just as well as those who labelled themselves Labour in tha House of Representatives. He believed that the genesis of the "National Service" clause was in the fact that retired farmers had nioved into towns, and it was thought that their services should be available for production of food if necessary. While the war was on the Government had an obligation to maintain essential industries, and even partially "essential industries. There was provision for appeal to a Magistrate by any man the operation of the clause in regard to himself. CO-OPERATION", NOT COMPULSION. Mr. Roberts asked whether the clause would require the workers to give their efficiency for the'profit of employers. Sir James Allen : No, no. In the cbure of further argument, Sir James remarked that he valued greatly what Labour had done during the war, though a section was opposed to the Military Service Act. He believed that the bulk of Labour was as loyal as himself* .

Tho discussion closed with iterated and reiterated assurances that Labour would have every opportunity for consultation and expression of representative opinion in .the drafting of national service regulations. Sir James stated emphatically that the Government desired co-opera-tion, not compulsion, in this matter. In the last resort it might be necessary to have compulsion for essential industrial purposes, for the vital needs of.theSta.te, just as it had been ultimately necessary for the maintenance of reinforcements, but he was confident that there would be no need of industrial compukion.