CONSCRIPTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17077, 28 January 1916, Page 9

CONSCRIPTION.

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. MANIFESTO OPPOSES COMPULC ■ SION. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON,- January 27. The following arc extracts from a manifesto issued to-night by the conference of New Zealand. Labour organisations convened for the purpose of • discussing conscription;— " This conference is steadfastly opposed to the spirit of militarism that made this war possible, and deplores the loss of human life and ol property and the intense misery caused. "This conference, .representing oightv-scven organisations of Labour (including all the Trades and Labour Councils with the exception of Otago) regrets that a section of the. community should attempt to introduce the conscription system that has been consistently opposed by the working classes in all parts of the Empire. We put forward the following contentions against the principle of force where life is concerned:— ' "-'' '-'•• '- That where only some arc forced .to give their lives for the. country, . no equality of sacrifice is possible. '•That were all our physically fit ■ men compelled to enlist certain of our primary industries would be seriously crippled to the detriment of the people of the Dominion and of the Empire. " That if this is admitted and certain men are exempted from military service, the doctrine of equality of sacrifice becomes absurd. "That when human life is at stake all men stand equal, and there can be no means of selection devised that can be considered fair, and that the policy of insisting on . enlistment for service abroad or single men,and youths'-.is inimical to -the best interests of the-nation and the .potentialities of -the-'race'; • • "';'• ;

""Thousands of bur', colleagues,' strenuously opposed to' compulsion in any form,, have gone as volunteers, and while their backs" are turned we must use every effort to preserve intact the civil rights our people have won. We. arc convinced that conscription is, desired, not so much for the purpose of winning the war, as to effectively hold- the workers in subjection when tli© critical after-war- period- is reached. . .../...-.

." This conference points out .that New Zealand has fulfilled every pledge fin respect to the number of men the Government undertook to send in the Expeditionary Forces. In addition Now Zealand has equipped and despatched an entire Riflo Brigade and has maintained its full' quota of 'reinforcements on the highest scale.";;_ To impose' .conscription,' -therefore, would bo. "a grave and unjustifiable reflection)' on tlio courago of the people of New Zealand, who have equipped and sent more men to the front in proportion to population than any other part of the ovorseas dominions.

" Always provided that the men on active service are equipped, maintained and remunerated, and.tlie'ir dependents adequatelyprovided, for the voluntary system cannot possibly fail while the majority of men of military age are in favour of prosecuting the war. There are thousands of men who aro ready and willing to go to the front if the Government would make adequate provision for their dependents while .they aro on service, and in the event "of .death or disablement. Soldiers' pnv should not be less than that of the, trade union rate for the best paid artisans. Pensions for soldiers and dependents ought to be made much mQre liberal. "To finance New Zealand's further participation in the war and improvements in the pay and pensions of men on active service the-conference urges drastic .taxation, to the extent of confiscation." to the iiso of the State) of all incomes in excess of soldiers' pay as already defined in the terms of this manifesto. This policy would result in a greater rate of enlistment and at the same time test the sincerity of those who aro pledging the last man and last shilling to the prosecution of, the conflict. - . :.---.',- : •• ;.

" Conscription of "wealth. m'e'anV. jjliat laud,' 'mines, mills, 'factories,' ships, banks and all collectively used means of wealth production shall. be seized and operated for the collective benefit of the people during the'war and shall remain tho property of the people after the war. I

"'This conference is strongly of qpin.-. ion that the time has Arrived when, the Allied : Governments should publicly state the terms upon' which -they are prepared to bring "fife '"conflict* to an end." This is riot drily, due to the peoples of the Allied nations, but if the details of the terms recognise the right of people to develop according to their own genius and "reduce the dangers of secret diplomacy and private interest' i» armament.; manufactures they Will assist the German Social Deriibcratie movement in creating"a larger' peace sentiment in Germany; The pybi lication of ' peace terms' will' provoke public discussion, inform the public mind and thus ensure that the peoples involved will enter more fully into the settlement of the war. In this way will be secured a peace agreement based upon the principles of humanity and right rather than upon the desires of certain classes for mere econoniic arid?, military advantage."..