The Fight Against Conscription.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 42, 22 December 1911, Page 9

The Fight Against Conscription.

How You Can He r •

I.—WHAT IS AT STAKE?

_ The seriousness of the present position is not yet fully realised in some quarters. The compulsory military training scheme is not at present being enforced, so that many are not alive to the danger.

Never lose sight of the fact that this scheme is only an introduction to a fully-fledged Continental conscription sciieme. Many authorities can be quoted in support of this statement. The military party are only feeling their way. Over and over again it has been stated that once get the principle of compulsion adopted its application can be extended as circumstances permit. Does any "Maorilaiid Worker' reader need to be told what conscription entails? Do you want your sons_ to be condemned to the harshness, injustice, and tyranny of military rule as experienced to-day in France, Germany, and other countries where conscription exists? Do you want your sons to be condemned to the moral degradation" of barrack life? If you do not, now is the time to act. 2.—HOW TO HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CONSCRIPTION. (a) Join your Iflcal anti-militarist league- Do not stand out while others fight for you; Do not wait until in some way the evil is brought home to you. Do not stand out because you have no son. Do not put off joining until some more convenient season — but join now and help in the campaign which is being organised right through the country. The help of every sympathiser is needed. (b) If there Is no league in your district, form one, even if there are only two or three of you. Particulars will be furnished of how to set to work to form leagues. Get into touch with the secretary of the National Peace Council (Mr. L. P. Christie), 102 Hereford street, Christchuroh, who will give you every help in ins power.

(c) Study the subject.. Gejb. all available literature and study it. Any information as to (suitable" books will be gladly given by the secretary of the N.P.C. Some notes on peace literature will be published shortly. Form lend. )g libraries of peace literature. Push "The Maoriland Worker." Subscribe to the "Anti-Militarist." It only costs 2s 6d per annum, and is full of fighting material. But, above all and by any means, get acquainted with the basic principles of anti-mili-tarism, and then you will be able to ''give a reason for the faith that is within you.' , (d) Use your pen. Write to friends, to members of Parliament, to Prime Minister, and,, above to newspapers, and to all and sundry as occasion offers, against militarism and on behalf of peace and brotherhood. Be ready to combat at once any militarist lies as they appear in any public print.. Write to your local papers and to your members immediately giving any instance of military arrogance or injustice, of military law exceeding or law-breaking. Keep the secretary of the N.P.C. informed of such or of any local happenings of which -use. can be made hi the campaign.

(c) If you are contribute money This fight cannot go on without money. If you can afford it, contribute to your local league for the purchase of literature, etc.; help the head office with funds for the national campaign. It is a patriotic work and worth sacrifice on your part. (f) Make converts. Wherever you go discuss the question with friends and acquaintances and endeavour to make converts. See that every sympathiser is enrolled in the League.

Do not hesitate to write to the secretary of the National Peace Council, who is only too ready to help you in «<svery possible way.

Why have millions upon millions to toil from morning till evening juet to gain a mere crust of bread? Because of the absolute lack of organisation by which such labor should produce its effect, the absolute lack of distribution, the absolute lack even of the very idea that such things are possible. Nay, even to mention such things, to say they are possible, is criminal with many. Madness could hardly go further. —Richard Jefferies.

"* Man is but dust and ash.es , , a shadow system gathered round our Mβ, wherein through some brief moments or years the Divine Essence is to be revealed inthe Flesh. Generation af-te-r generation takes to itself the form of a Body, and forth-issuing from Cimmerian. Night on Heaven's Mission appears. Thus like some wild breathing Spirit Host do we emerge from the Inane, haste etormfully across the astonished Earth, and plunge again into the Inane. But whence, whither? O Heavenj Faith knows not, sense knows not, only that it is from mystery to from God to God.— Caxlyle.