TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 125, 24 November 1919, Page 7

TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

The following contribution"is the first! of a short series sent to The Evening! Post by an elector who has for a long time taken an active interest in Labour matters. The writer, makes a strong appeal that the letters should be published ' "for the benefit of our young country" and in the interests of true Labour:—

[By "No.' 1367890."]

To be or not to be? is the question to be answered on the 17th December. Who is to be and who is not to be? It's a knotty problem, but can be ' solved if people think. When the Armistice was signed on 11th November, 1918, the, people of the Dominion rejoiced because it was the end of destruction. The manhood of our country left our shores for the purposes. of destroy ing an unscrupulous enemy. Having destroyed,, they have returned home to rebuild. The election next month may be termed the •'Rebuilding; Election." We have to' rebuild on new lines. We have to rebuild not out of the ashes of the old, but from' the lessons we' have learnt during four years of war. And in rebuilding, who are going to be the archii tects to mould the destinies and upbuild a new era for, the Dominion? '.-! „ Are you going to entrust the remoulding and modelling to men who did nothing to make possible the era of rebuilding? ■ '..:...,'■ Atb you ; going to allow men like Holland, Semple, and Fraser to rebuild for you? ■' - Are you going to let men who did nothing to help to fight for this country's honour rebuild? Remember Hindmarsh ; although a Labour man, he 'sent his son to fight for him and you. ■ •■■' '• '• Remember Sergeant Carey ;' although a Labour'man, he went to fight for you. Both these men had nothing in common with Semple, Fraser, or Holland. -These men were Labour. men, not Socialists. They stood for all the best there was.in construction and moulding. They were evolutionists, - not revolutionists. . Just think. Just stop, look, and listen. Stop and think of any one act done by Semple, Fraser, or Holland to help this country win out in: the war; struggle.. Look around you, and think of your son, your brother, or: your relative /who-went and fought for you. Think of those who have "gone West," Listen to the deeds performed by our men. Think of "Tiny" Freyberg, think of Sanders, V.C., and think of what our men fought for and died for. They .died that we might live in. peace and comfort. It is your right to see that those who did not help to make peace possible, to see that those who did nothing to fight wrong for right do'not get into Parliament. . ■-.'':". .-''■■■ '':'■

You owe it/to those who "went West," to those who have returned imaimed/ and wounded, or well. You-owe-it to yourself. ''.'-.' Ponder deeply and think. After thinking, act, that's all, make it not to be..