CONSCRIPTION.

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 10

CONSCRIPTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In perusing the letters of “ Union Jack ” and * Disgusted ” in the correspondence column of to-night’» issue of the * Star,’ your readers will be able to come to certain obvious conclusions. First, and probably the most importantj is that these two patriot* would derive more satisfaction from the downfall of New Zealand’s present Government than they would from the downfall of Hitlerism. The British Empire engaged in the war of 1914-18 with the object of “making the world safe for,democracy.” The present conflict* as far as we in New Zealand are con-, cerned, is another effort to achieve that objective. The fact that in a democracy the people have the right to elect * Socialist Government seems to be * source of tribulation to “ Union Jack.’S When criticising Mr j. A. Lee, the facts concerning that gentleman’s election at the last general election with probably the highest vote ever obtained by a parliamentary candidate in this Dominion, and his record of service in the lasij war, do not seem to embarrass “ Dia* gusted ” in the least. He particularised Mr Lee’s condemnation of our states* men among others during the last war* If he wants to know what chiefly militates against our efforts at recruiting on this occasion he has only to remember the promises made to the recruits of 1914 and how they fared when repatriated. Perhaps the less we remember and say the for recruiting on this occasion, hut this much it win pay us to remember: that it Was politicians of the ilk your correspondent* support who are responsible_ for lack of patriotism to-day. “ Union Jack ” favours conscription. On what basis does he favour it? Would he favour W referendum and simultaneously the conscription of the natural resources of th# country P If he does not favour political and economic democracy, what ft wrong with Hitler anyhow, and why this waiw, —I am. etc.. . . _ _ ■ ■ Jahhßubi February 12.