THE H.B. TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1st., 1916. THE HUMILIATION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 271, 1 November 1916, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1st., 1916. THE HUMILIATION.

For the first time in history the question has been put to a nation whether the irresponsible sort ion ot its manhood which has abstained from taking its share in the nation’s defence against an agares=ixe foe should be compelled to fall into line to bring victory nearer, or whethei the whole of the heavy burden and sacrifice should be left to those whose strong sense of responsibility and duty compelled them to serve their country at the first call to arms. And the result has been that one-half of the people so appealed to have answered ’'No.” M hat does their answer tell us ' It speaks in indisputable language that the thing we have known as Democracy has been put to the test and the thing has failed. It is a fateful verdict that the Commonwealth of Australia has allowed to be blazoned throughout the whole world. In the trenches of the Somme, the British and overseas soldiers will shed tears of blood and say. Are these the creatures wo are lighting for when the Bosches in the opposing lines hoist- placards bearing the shameful words “The people of Australia have abandoned you.” The women workers in the munition factories at Home, who have lost husbands and brothers, and are w’orking night and day, for a miserable pittance, wearing the flesh on their fingers to the bone, will hang their heads with shame to think that there are males and females of the same race as themselves that are so steeped in selfishness as to be content to allow others to do the fighting; others to make, the sacrifice of time, money and life itself, while they shelter in safety behind the rifles and bayonets of brave men, and the soul wearing labour of noble women. In Germany the news that Australia has hoisted the white flag will be heralded as the first weakening of the enemy, and the episode will be celebrated with more extravagant joy than would be a victory on land or sea. It will revive the falling hopes of the Teutons and inspire them to new and greater effort to conquer the hated British in whose mighty Empire the first canker worm has appeared. And our Allies ; how will they receive the news of Australia’s humiliating verdict? What- a poor return for their national sacrifices, what a small encouragement for them to keep the pledge to abstain from a separate peace. Yet they will keep it, because the war has been waged on their fair lands, and they have suffered and know* what it is they are fighting against and what they are fighting for. Can Australia redeem last Saturday’s decision? She can by voluntary’ effort, we believe she will. We believe that the men who voted “Yes” meant l! Yes,” and will see to it that the reinforcements are maintained at their full strength. Only in this way can Australia regain her fair name and honourably’ retake her place among the nations of the Empire. And when the war is over and the troops come back in the flush of victory, as we are sure they will come back, the day of reckoning with the shirkers will be at hand.