Would Be Step Towards Socialism Says Langstone

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1939, Page 6

Would Be Step Towards Socialism Says Langstone

'[Special to “Northern Advocate”] ' Auckland, This Day. When-the issue of conscription arose last-might, sharp, cross talk ensued between, the Minister for Lands (Mr Langstone) • and a small section of an audience he adddressed at the Trades Hall. ’ ■ ' ’ r

The meeting was .generally quiet, but-, a dissatisfied section made itself heard, when the question of conscriparid a referendum on it was raised. Thejmepting comprised, representatives of. the Auckland Labour Representation Committee and the Auckland.;, Trades, Council, ' A.,'questioner asked the . Minister whether the Government would take a referendum on the question of conscription if the appeal for volunteers for the Second Echelon of the Special Force Tailed.

“No Hedging.”

“Great Britain can live without us,”, the Minister began, “and we cannot live'Without her.” Voices: Come on, answer the question. No hedging. The Minister: If there is going to be conscription, there is going to be conscription of wealth. “It will mean that you and I will be on the soldier’s ration and the soldier’s pay. “And if it is going to be that,

it will be the greatest step forward to collective Socialism, because when it is over the psychology have been established. ‘■‘lf there are not enough volunteers for the next echelon and we have to take strong measures, it will be 100 per cent,” the Minister added.

“Referendum At Last Election.”

“Everyone will be in it. Therb will rule and regimentation, and the greatest opponent to it Wall be the capitalist and the Com* rflunist.” "'A voice; What I want to know is this: Are we going to have a referendum before conscription? Minister: We have been elected. Tfte referendum was taken at the last ejection, No; Not:on conscription, i jMr L.angstone: It would be a matter governed by circumstances. We stand pUdged flip support the programme tfet has, bbeh laid down. voice: Will you have a referendum ar ,wp n ’t you? The, Minister referred to the importance of winning the war, and pientioned the term “Communist.” ,'l “Bad as Semple.” f —This brought cries of “You are as bad as Semple,” and “listen to the abuse” from one or two of his most persistent' questioners. A brief lull was put to full advantage by the chairman (Mr J. .Sayegh) who promptly called for a vote of thanks to the Minister. A vote of thanks, and of support for the Government was carried with one or two dissentient voices.

Those who voted against the resolution did not accept an offer by the chairman to have their names recorded in the minutes of the meeting.