Discredited Politicos Oppose Conscription

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1949, Page 7

Discredited Politicos Oppose Conscription

WELLINGTON. Sot. (O C.).—Except on the past of one member there was no difference of opinion on the Government benches about carrying an affirmative vote in the referendum, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser* said in the Address- in - Rep] y debate.

During his speech in the debate Mr J. N. Massey (O—Franklin' had displayed a newspaper advertisement for a meeting to be held by the Peace and Anti-Conscription Federation in Wellington on Monday night, when one of the speakers will be Mr F. Lungstone (G—Xtoskill >. WHO ARE QUISLINGS? Mr Massey said the advertisement read: "Hear the Labour movement's •overwhelming ease against conscription. . . - The issue is the political quislings, big business, tlie Tories, the barrack-square blimps, versus the people of New Zealand." Mr Massey asked who were the quislings. Were they members of the Government? These advertisements had not been contradicted. Mr T. E. Skinner (G—Tamakii: Didn’t your leader insist on the rights of these people to broadcast?

Mr Massey said the advertisements made people wonder who was in control. One member of the Labour Party was opposing compulsory service. and another had been "caned” for making a passing reference outside the House.

Mr Fraser Said the member for Franklin claimed the Opposition bad compelled him to allow the opponents of compulsory military training on the air, and Mr Masey also wanted him to take steps to prevent them from advertising. Opposition voices: No. DISCREDITED POLITICIANS The claim that any free-lance was speaking for the Labour Party, said Mr Fraser, was just rubbish. for the other speakers at the meeting, their association with the Government had been one of antagonism.

Those who said compulsory service meant aggression were those who were likely to start an industrial war against the people and drive New Zealand into the position of the United Kingdom and Australia. If trouble occurred, the Government would take similar strong action. Mr G. F. Sim (O —Waikato):- Some of your own members are making it pretty tough for you. Mr Fraser said discredited politicians were among those misleading the people. They were the enemies of the country, the Government and the British Commonwealth. The very fact that there was a referendum connoted that honest objectors should be given every opportunity of speaking against compulsion, but he was against handing over one of the most potent instruments of propaganda to the enemies of this countiy and the agents of another country.

Jibes, Jeers For Speakers

Anti-conscription speakers are not receiving a good reception.

Here are some reactions

NELSON.—A party of 14 men and two women who staged an anticonscription demonstration in Nelson last evening received some rough handling by the crowd which surrounded them.

One persistent speaker was hustled along Trafalgar Street, where his trousers were removed before he was put. in the cab of a truck and driven slowly through the streets to the Salt Water Bridge.

As there was no tidal water in the Creek, the demonstrator was carried to the Moller fountain to be dipped. At this stage he was taken into protective custody by the police. Hundreds of eggs were thrown at the speakers and oranges and apples Were also used as missiles. A crowd of more than 1000 was attracted to the scene and the front row of spectators made several rushes among the demonstrators in efforts to break up the meeting. NEARLY HOARSE BALMORAL.—The jibes of a hostile crowd caused Communist speakers to shout themselves nearly hoarse at the Balmoral shopping centre last night. The party’s national organiser (Mr V. Wilcox) and two other speakers tried for nearly two hours to state their ease but the 300 onlookers gave them hardly a minute’s silence. The chairman’s opening remarks were drowned by guffaws, boos and jeers. When Mr Wilcox took the plaG form to speak, he was counted out. There were some heated arguments among the crowd, which gave three cheers for Mr Fraser as the meeting ended.

DEVONPORT.—A running fire of interjections and a few songs from a crowd of 60 to 80 people drowned most of a speech by Mr R. Armstrong, representing the New Zealand Peace and Anti-Conscription League.