MRS. ALDIS ON THE MILITARY SPIRIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7922, 14 April 1887, Page 6

MRS. ALDIS ON THE MILITARY SPIRIT.

TO THE EDITOR. g lßf —The humiliating spectacle of grown men playing a * "making pretend" to be alarmed like very little children will not be without its use if it lead thoughtful persona torefleot on the inevitable consequences of the encouragement of the military spirit, that curse of the nations, that deep reproach on the strange misrepresentation commonly called Christianity. To tboae who have ears to hear, history teaches lessons not to be mistaken, and constantly repeated. On the plea of self-defence, an effort is made to rouse the brutal side of men's nature, and *a military organisation is established. Then come dark hints of impending danger and of inefficient means, and so the thing grows till, from that which at first seemed small and inoffensive - there springs an overbearing monster with the incessant insatiable cry of "give,(give." In the leading nations of Europe at the present moment the majority of the inhabitants find life a cruelly hard thing, and yet more and more of the people's money is constantly devoted to making the conditions of the people's existence more and more desperate, so that viotory when gained does bat add to the misery of the ostensible conquerors. Is the mad race never to cease and the peoples as a whole—the poor among the people—to taste the blessings of peace and plenty—a thing impossible while they are taxed to the utmost for purposes of war ? Here in New Zealand we are—or at least might be— from the trammels of tradition, and the inhabitants might, if they cared to do so, establish a kingdom on the only firm basis, the basis of unswerving truth and justice. Yet already the war extortioner is among us, taking the people's money to spend upon that from which they do not derive the smallest benefit, and using some of .for what has been lately very well described as mere "tomfoolery." Already our military expenses amount to no inconsiderable sum, and the demand, we may be sure, will be increased, unless there are among us true patriots with courage enough to take a firm stand, and prevent our progress along the downward path. Already, too, we are tasting the evil fruit of the thing, for notwithstanding all protests, notwithstanding the warning given by Dr. Purohas as to its probable effeots, the senseless clamour of Good Friday morning was persisted in, and lives whioh should be sacred in the eyes of the Government, lives of the people for whom the Government exists, were put in danger by the military authorities. These are the firßt links of the chain ; are the others to be forged uuhindered ? As a woman 1 would beg all women who may read these lines to tafce this matter into consideration, remembering that whether they receive the suffrage or not, they already possess influence which is power, and that power cannot exist without responsibility. From all sides, and in very varying voices, comes the warning ory that a tremendous crisis in the history of the world is close at hand. And everywhere the best men are seeking to treat women with the justice so long denied to them, and to find in them true helpers, that together they may grow, help others to grow, and so face whatever the luture may be bringing. It is high time then for women to put away mindenervating amusements, and to oease from haphazard attempts to do good without regard to the great principle of justice, attempts which, in the end, cannot fail to work more harm than good. It is time also to fling aside for ever the foolish cant of "I am not strong .minded : Buch matters are beyond roe; 1 leave these things to wiser heads." If, my sisters who are in the habit of using theße expressions, you really feel yourselves to be weak-minded and sillyheaded, you are very much to be pitied. But, at least, you are not wholly devoid either of wisdom or of mental abilities, to be used for the good of the world, and yon are capable of forming an opinion as to whethei it is right to encourage the war-spirit tc over-ride the liberties of the people, and tt drain the life of this young nation, as it hat done, and is doing in other lands. You car also act upon that opinion. Were half the power that fills the world with terror. Were h.lf the wealth bestowed on camps am conitii, Given to redeem the human mind from orror, There were no need of arwnala nor (orU. The warrior's mini! would oe a Dime abhorred ! And every nation ttiat should lilt a^airi Its hind against a brother, on its forohe-d Would wear for evermore the curse of Cain ! I am, &c, RU.RY Stkadman Aldis, Mount Eden, April 12, 1887.