SERVICE OF ANY KIND.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 July 1916, Page 2

SERVICE OF ANY KIND.

(To the Editor.) Sir—ln taking exception to my statement that he is opposed to service of any kind, Mr Reaci mentions a certain service, which, he says, is real and lasting service of the- iliinpire. I dil nut forget to mention my appreciation -of such service. The trouble is that Mr Read is trying to convert it into a fairweather service only, while I maintain, that to be tiue service, it must be at the disposal of the Empire in times of trouble as well as peace, and moreover must be extended to meet the vastly greater needs of such a crisis as the present, even if it does mean killing Germane. But Mr Read would have us believe that it Is a sin to serve the Empire by fighting for it, no matter how just our cause, and in Vindication of this attitude says there is. nothing in Christ's teaching, which justifies warfare. Perhaps not, as far as words go, but on the other hand it has yet to be proved that there is anything in that teaching which justifies peace at any price, and sanctions our passive submission to such rank injustice and brutal crimes as those in Belgium and France. — I am, etc., M.J.