N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 27 March 1922, Page 2

N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

LOYALTY AN ELECTION ISSUE.

APPEAL BY KING AND EMPIRE ALLIANCE.

Mr. John Stinson, president, has issued on behalf of the Kms£ and Empire Alliance an appeal to all members of that organisation to consider the present situation carefully, so that in exercising the franchise at the coming State election they shall give the preference to candidates who will support the principles of the alliance, and whose reputations ensure that their promise is one which can be relied on. The objects of the alliance are set out as follows: —

(1) To work in.every possible way for the walfaro and consolidation of the British Empire in general, and Australia in particular.

(2) To build up and maintain a strong national pride of race and empire, particular attention being paid to the educa_ tion of our children.

(3) To strenuously oppose all attempts to introduce and encourage disloyal doctrines.

(4) To ensure that in all Federal, municipal, and Shire elections only proved loyalists shall be supported, i irrespective of party or religion.

(5) To co-operate with other organisations throughout the Empire having similar objects.

"An examination of the history of the last eight years," says Mr. Stinson, "and the respective policies on which appeals for support are now being issued by the various parties and candidates will enable members of the alliance and its suporters to decide without difficulty what candidates stand for the principled' above enumerated, and who can be relied on to support them by his vote and influence.''

Contrasting the two sets of politicians now claiming the suffrages of the electors, Mr. Stinson says:— "The men of one school of thought stood for solidarity of the Empire in the Great War, and for the self-preserva-tion of Australia that could not be secured in any other way. They worked incessantly for the strengthening of the British army, for the enrolment of Aus_ tralian soldiers, and for their proper equipment. Our Australian soldiers were the best fed, best clothed, and best paid men in the war. They won for themselves a name that stands alongside the names of the sost heroic soldiers of our race, and established a noble record of courage, endurance, and sacrifice thajbhas made Australia famous and has entitled her to an honoured place in the councils of the nations. Whilst thousands of loyal citizens served and suffered and died for country and Empire one section, to which many of them belonged, sought to thwart them. It discountenanced and discouraged the

prosecution of the war. By public agitation, and by means of strikes, many members endeavoured to prevent the transport of soldiers to the front, as well as the supplies for those already fighting our country's battles. Our boys were characterised by so-called

democrats as 'murderers' for the part they took in resisting the German '• hordes in the struggle for the safety of democracy. "In this State a law was passed giving preference to returned soldiers, and still stands for their permanent protection, and for preference to them and to the wives and children of disabled soldiers in State employment. Since the conclusion of the war, preference to soldiers has been disputed and repudiated, and there are many who have refused to put into force the provisions of the Returned Soldiers' Preference Act, and have threatened to repeal it. In the | City Council, for instance, such prefer^ ! ence has been pointedly and ostentatatiously withheld. "One section of our community has gloried in the achievement of our soldiers, and has taken, steps to perpetui ate the memory of their noble deeds, and the names of those who made the great sacrifice amongst the honoured heroes of the Empire. Another section hag discouraged this, and has privately j and officially opposed the perpetuation lof the splendid records of our soldiers whilst abroad. This would tend to destroy, not to maintain, a national pride of race and Empire, and in th.is respect is an insult to the men who fought for liberty and democracy, and to the thousands of equally brave women who suffered and sacrificed that our nation I might be free. Disloyal doctrines have j been and still are being proclaimed and disseminated in our midst by men who, professing to be of our blood, appear to have neither national aspirations nor claims to the higher form of citizenship, or if they have, are prepared to sacrifice them for reasons of class hatred, or as the result .of political feuds or other equally unworthy motives. Where unity and harmony ought to prevail fatal class distinctions are drawn, and severance and disintegration of Empire are openly and defiantly advocated. : Teaching and practice of thfs character are disloyal alike both to Empire and Australian interests, and must be rei sisted by all lawful means. "It is the duty of every patriotic elector,'' Mr. Stinson emphasises, "to use his best endeavours to place in control of our public affairs men of integrity, whose loyalty and patriotism are beyond question, and who may be I relied upon to stand for the honour and freedom of our country in times of peace, as they did in times of war."