Applause for Conscription

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 4

Applause for Conscription

AT yesterday’s civic reception to Major-General Freyberg in Wellington there was an unrehearsed interlude. In replying to the speeches of welcome General Freyberg expressed his admiration for the fine spirit now being shown by the people of Britain. He mentioned in passing that they had “taken conscription in their stride” and was proceeding to other topics when the large audience interrupted him with a remarkable outburst of applause. There was no lack of clapping during the reception; but at this particular stage it was sustained with an enthusiasm that could not be explained altogether as admiration for the British public. Its significance will not have escaped the attention of Cabinet Ministers on the platform and of thousands of radio listeners throughout New Zealand. General Freyberg’s reference to conscription was purely incidental and he made no attempt to return to a controversial subject. But the feeling of the audience was unmistakable; it demonstrated in no uncertain way the trend of public opinion. Members of the Government who were present at the reception should have no difficulty in drawing their own conclusions.