DEFENCE AND PACIFISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22262, 9 November 1935, Page 17

DEFENCE AND PACIFISM

Sir, —The objection by 'pacifists to take any part in the defence of their country must be either due to ignorance of facts or absence of a proper sense of manhood. The conscientious objection to war can be understood, but that is not the prerogative of the pacifists; all decent men, particularly those who have seen war, have the same views. When our Empire is threatened or attacked, is it fair to again expect that only those who have the courage shall volunteer and arm for the defence of their people and their possessions, or should not defence be a national duty where every real man takes his part? At the present time the safety of the Empire, while not actually threatened, is certainly insecure, mainly because of tho weakness of tho British Navy. Does tho pacifist who will not fight expect our merchant sailors to risk their lives and sail the seas unprotected, to carry the trade which enables him to live in comfort, or will he help to ensure that tho British Navy is large enough and strong enough to make it impossible for any nation to challenge the right to freedom of the seas and peace?' This is the only way the pacifist can satisfy his conscientious objection to war, for if tho Navy is not strong enough to protect our merchant shipping and our shores he will have to fight an invading force whether he likes it or not. ' C. H. T. Palmer. Auckland Navy League.