PEACE AGITATORS

Southland Times, Issue 16889, 14 November 1911, Page 2

PEACE AGITATORS

tan WELiaWOTOH MBBTIBQ. MARKED HOSTILITY. . PROMOTERS’ MOTION BEATEN, Ip the awe-inspiring presence of a sergeant, of police and three constables representative speakers from the AntiMilitarist League addressed a large audience at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Friday evening (says the Dominion). They had a dlflicult task, for ardent supporters • of the citizen army outnumbered the league’s adherents, and outvoted them when It was sought to crystallise the sentiments of the league in a resolution. Mr W. Scott Bedford occupied the Chair, while the - other speakers and prominent supporters of the "peace” agitation occupied -seats on the platform. A fairly large proportion of the audience were young men, obviously at variance with the opinions of the antieervlce doctrines, and these kept up a lively fusilade of interjections. Ur Bedford’s Interrupter*. The chairman (Mr Bedford), in his opening remarks, said that his hearers might "barrack” him as much as they liked —("hear, hear") —but he desired to point out to them the fact that the league, like the No-License League, was organised for a special campaign a Campaigi against compulsory military training. Some of the delegates to the conference had travelled over 200 miles %o express their opinions “Oh!” exclaimed a doubtful voice. Some had lost a good deal "Phew!” whistled someone In the back of the hall, while a titter rippled round the hall. The speaker also indulged in some criticism of the press. “You all know,” he said, “how the press has been misrepresenting us, belittling our cause. (Sengation in the gallery.) Even If our views Were the utmost nonsense—(another seniktlon in the gallery)—the fact that we Ire working In the cause of humanity •bould earn for them at least attention 4nd respect.” This was not a party question, he stated. England had built up aer greatness Toy voluntary service—(hear, hear !) —had met conscript armies In war and defeated them. When Blr Joseph Ward was at Invercargill, months before the passing of the new Defence Act, he declared that compulsory training would be a most dangerous thing. Sir Joseph Ward himself l«id been a volunteer. (Laughter.) The >tew Zealand defence should, he contended, be essentially naval. They should have joined with Australia in the buildJpg of a defensive fleet, “And now,” said Mr Bedford. “I have only got another five minutes.” (Cheers.) “I’ve got something more Interesting for you.’’ “Pot of beer ?’’ enquired a solicitous Voice. ■; Mr Bedford continued: “Er—er—” “Too 1 much ‘er’,” said a censorious person in the audience, at Showground Incident. • Mr Bedford then went on to refer to the Inddentin the showground at Christchurch, where the league’s booth and its attendant were forcibly ejected from the A. and P. grounds, but a diversion was created bjr the action of an individual who rose’'from his seat near the front of the hall and walked over to & group of-persistent Interrupters. Without saying a word he sat down near them and regarded them with a fixed state, which, if Intended to overawe, failed In Its purpose, for a shout Of derision went up from the youths. Mr Bedford (with a show of impatience) : “I have only to point out a man, and the sergeant will remove him at once.” And, so saying, he glared at the Interrupters and then went on. “With regard to the showground incident,” he said, “I had a telegram—” • “A lie I ” Insisted someone in the audience. Mr Bedford then related the Incident of the showground, and went on to make the assertion (now known to be foundatlonless) that their attendant had beet removed because General Godley had objected to him. A voice: “General Godley!” whereat the audience cheered. “The press ridiculed this statement,’’ said Mr Bedford, “but I say that the gentleman who sent the telegram is a man of truth.” •' This declaration was received with expressions of strong dissent. “At the same time,” continued Mr Bedford, “I don’t believe that .General Godley ever did give such an Instruction. (Hear, hear.) I have watched General Godley pretty closely—(derisive laughter)—and I have had to acknowledge his tact and courtesy. He knbws the art of taking the wind out of an opponent’s sails.” Tbs “Open Boor.” . Tbs speaker then went on to refer to a statement which he had made some time ago that General Godley, at Tauherinlkau, had said that there was no Open door to the commissioned ranks for non-commissioned officers. He had since been in communication with General Godley. and received from him a letter which he proposed to read. , “Sing us a song Instead,” suggested someone. “Would you like to hear what MajorGeneral Godley says?” asked Mr Bedford. “No; your five minutes is up,” said a decisive voice In the audience. However, Mr Bedford read the letter, which. In effect, explained that the commissioned ranks were closed to noncommissioned officers who were over the age limit. He (Mr Bedford) accepted the General’s explanation. General Godley had also explained that it would be quite Impossible for any Territorial officer to get a commission unless he had. passed through the ranks. But, continued the speaker, promotion to the commissioned ranks was not competitive, but by selection, which, he considered, was unsatisfactory. “I have now done,” concluded Mr Bedford, a statement which was received with applause. “A- Want Mo* Baagt” The next speaker was Mr L. P. Christie, secretary of the League, who was welcomed with a salvo of ironical applause. He began; “Mr Chairman. (Cheers.) Mr Chairman . (Cheers.) I won’t detain you very long. (Hooray.) I think you will bo interested —” At this Stage of the proceedings the sounds Of the farmyard filled the air. Stofa various points in the hall came

lusty cockcrows, tne lowing of ribald kine, cat-calls, and so forth. ■Mr Christie regarded his Interrupters with a patient smile. “I heard these noises at a farmyard when I was a boy," ho said. A voice: “A want ma’ baag.” Mr Christie then proceeded to refer to the historic meeting at Christchurch, when a scene of great disorder was reported to have taken place. “We had 3000 adherents then,’’ he declared. “Today, we have 11,000. (Chorus of incredulity.) And,” he shouted, “a number of those interrupters at that meeting in Christchurch have since been converted to our side.” At this stage interruptions compelled the speaker to desist, and when at last ho was able to speak he was understood to say that these disturbances were caused by some college students. “By Jove!’’ squeaked a falsetto voice in the gallery, whereat the assembly gave way to uncontrollable mirth. Mr Christie then went on to describe the stall which had been removed from the Christchurch show ground. “It was a decorated stall.” he said, “with flowers, “Don’t make it too hot," entreated someone. „ “ —and literature to be disposed of. “Any beer?” inquired someone. “Later in the day,” continued Mr Christie, “the stall was closed. (Hear, hear.) If any man in this hall can say ‘Hear, hear,’ to that,” he proceeded angrily, “I am sorry for him.” Once again the audience said ‘ Hear, hear,” with no uncertain voice. Continuing, Mr Christie said that the anti-militarist movement was gaining ground. They had Just concluded their first conference, and they would soon see the fruits. (“Ah!”) “I have also seen Sir Joseph Ward (“Oh! Oh!”) and 1 will now tell you that military drill for unior cadets is to cease.’’ “He was pulling your leg.” suggested a voice. “But,” continued Mr Christie, “we are not satisfied with Ward’s promises. We are going to get that Act shifted from the Statute Book,” he declared emphatically. (Sen'satlon.) "We require funds to assist us in our campaign (laughter)—and we now propose to take up a collection.” “Lead us a brown,” said someone. The collection was then taken up. “Do It Sow." Mr R. S. Ross, editor of the Maoriland Worker, then took the floor. “He laughs best who laughs last,” he began —an announcement which was received with a shout of derisive laughter. “If,’ he continued, *‘l were a supporter or conscription I would feel inclined to go home and bury myself.” “Do it now,” entreated a voice. The speaker then went on to say, to the accompaniment of an incessant flow of interruptions, that 13,000 boys and youths of New Zealand were absolutely defying the law of the land. The Government was so cowardly that it was afraid to administer its own law, and for this state of affairs the influence of the Anti-Militarist League was largely responsible. The defiance of their adherents had brought Major-General Godley to his knees. An Anti-Militarist Motion. This last remark was followed by a frightful commotion in the hall. Finally from the babel of interruptions which raged, the strains of “Rule Britannia” broke forth. Others caught up the strain, and a rousing chorus went up. After a further period of interruption the speaker moved the following resolution: "That this meeting regards with unqualified dissatisfaction and dissent the conscriptlve Defence Act of 1909 and its amendment of 1910, and demanding its immediate repeal, pledges Itself to assist the New Zealand Anti-Militarist League in its campaign against the Act and militarism generally." The motion was seconded by Miss Selina Anderson, who fixed upon Lord Kitchener, whom she described as the Tsar of New Zealand, the responsibility for the Defence Act. _ ( “Three cheers for Lord Kitchener, shouted someone, and the crowd instantly responded. t Then someone struck up “For He 3 a Jolly Good Fellow,” and once again the crowd responded, finishing, up the performance with another round of cheers. The motion was supported by Mr E. Stevenson, who remarked apropos of the new defence system that “the bottom had been knocked out of the swindle.” Hr Stevenson pinned his faith to the first line of defence, which, he argued, was quite sufficient, but, his audience did not agree with him, countfed him out twice and sang “John Brown’s Body. And a Militarist Amendment. Mr S. A. Atkinson then mounted the platform, and was greeted with cheers and musical honours. He.moved as an amendment: “That this meeting, while expressing its great appreciation of the devotion of the volunteers In the past. Is of opinion that they are now inadequate and that a system of compulsory military training is essential to the defence of New Zealand.” Tumultuous cheering greeted this amendment, which was seconded by Mr R. Evatt. The chairman declared that the amendment had been carried by a substantial majority. Then the supporters of Mr Atkinson’s amendment rose en masse, and sang the National Anthem, while their opponents remained seated in sullen silence. Afterwards the crowd dispersed in an orderly fashion.