Uniforms and Class War.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 72, 26 July 1912, Page 7

Uniforms and Class War.

ASPECTS OF THE CONSCRIPTION CRAZE.

By E. H. C. RIDDER.

To mix with tho common herd would bo degrading and vilc.'"--MAOiwLANi> WoiiKiui, ironically.

It has already boon, reported that the high schools and colleges are up in arms against tho senior cadet uniforms issued by the War Office.

A movement is now on foot amongst officials of the secondary schools conference with a view to taking . united action to prevent the ''cultured" sons of the privileged "upper classes" being decked out in the eonimon uniform of the "lower orders" or the common herd.

Thus wo have tho delightful situation wherein the very class which has clamored most for the conscription craze, the class which has provided the most strenuous and educated (?) opposition to defeat the aims and objects of the anti-militarists, is likewise clamoring most and objecting ; tho strongest against its "privileged" sons wearing a common uniform.

Not only is this attitude ample proof of tho truth that 'militarism is fostered and encouraged by the upjier classes at the expense of tho workers, but it is proof also of the sham and pretensions to "patriotism" of which the privileged class is always so ready to talk about, and cant about, to the common people. It is also ample evidence of a 'determined attempt to uphold class distinctions, to no other purpose than to be able to disrate and dominate the common people or the workers' sons. Yet. we are told that'll is chiefly the workers who' are responsible for tho class war. Aie they? Just a few questions en tiiis one matter. • ■ . . vVero tho workers the instigators of the infamous "Defence" Act? Were the workers consulted by the politicians as to the framing of the penal clauses? Were the workers consulted about those clauses giving exemptions to politicians, magistrates, clergy and various other "useful people," whose "usefulness" frees them from what is called tho "com moil, duty of defence," whilst provision was niacin that those of the workers' sons who refused, or had objection to tho sanity ol the whole business, wore to bo treated as criminals or branded as felons? Were the workers consulted about the loan for the Dreadnought, built by England along with, other similar contracts for Japan, Russia, and other "foreign" nations? Aro tho workers EVER consulted relative to a declaration of war? Just go on and ask yourselves some more questions. Soothe game? Then wake up and make \our move —instead of allowing others to make false moves for you. The fact is that if the uniforms wore not good enough for the sons of tho upjier classes —and their actions prove their thoughts—they aro not good enough for the workers. And inasmuch as tho upper class can,, and does, exorcise, a ''light" of objecting to wearing any particular uniform, the workers can, and should, rofu.se to wear any uniform whatsoever at the dictation of that class. It is fast dawning upon the minds of men that the soldier's uniform is become tho badge of dominance and the certificate of servitude.; a depiavod and visible sign that the wearer has pawned his will and reason into other men's keeping, and placed his body and all that it is worth to others depending on its normal, rightful activities, at tho disposal of any other depraved mortal that happens to bo "in authority," for the ordering of it hither and thiliher, bo tho purposo however questionable, to any part of the country or any corner of the globe.

If this wore not so, why the oath? When a cause is just, do bonds increase a freeman's zeal?