UNPACIFIC PACIFISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 35, 10 February 1940, Page 10

UNPACIFIC PACIFISTS

"Aotearoa" recounts an incident at a pacifist meeting to show how unpacific some of the pacifist supporters really are. About three weeks ago, he says, an elderly man asked several times a reasonable question of the speaker who was on the soap box in the reserve near the Opera House. , After he had been told by a lady supporter to shut his mouth, he was forcibly grabbed by two hefty young fellows and, with their fingers inside his collar, he was run out of the crowd. These heroes offered to show him something if he went back. On the police arriving one of these pacifist stalwarts calmly told the policeman that as there were no constables in sight, they had taken over the job. of policeman. They were promptly informed that they had no right to lay a hand on the man, and had committed an assault. The man, on being asked to lay a charge, declined, as he was satisfied with the warning given. Personally, he adds, I believe a volunteer is better than a conscript, but the fact remains that conscription is the only fair way of keeping our reinforcements at full strength, especially when we hear of parsons and others urging men not to enlist. This is not the time for political capital to be made at the expense of the Empire. Let one and all do their bit. "Puzzled" writes: One" can understand the feelings of ex-soldiers and even sympathise with them, but what is difficult to understand is the number of eligible young men one meets who are prepared to fight pacifism to the Qeath, but refuse to fight on any other field until compelled to do so. To me this seems far more contemptible than pacifism in its worst form. We know at least which side the pacifist favours, but where do we stand with the antipacifist who refuses to enlist? Donald R. Whisker writes, inter alia: "I wish to correct a mis-state-ment of the Mayor's in reference to 'so-called Pacifist meetings.' For many months before, the declaration of war 'The Christian- Pacifist Society' has been holding regular street meet-* ings. This society is essentially founded on the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ, and I can assure Mr. Hislop that no members of this' movement are direct emissaries of Soviet Russia nor in any way associated with the Communist Party lor the purpose of disseminating Russian propaganda; in fact, we have publicly announced on many occasions at our meetings that we are opposed to Russia's participation in war action in the same way as we oppose all war methods for any purpose. We believe that Christianity has a message as to the true bases of that lasting peace for which all men long. Christ's teaching is practical. It tells of real laws for unified life. We appeal to all men to test any proposed terms of peace by this standard."