The Sun WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1918. COMPLACENT FATUITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1309, 24 April 1918, Page 4

The Sun WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1918. COMPLACENT FATUITY.

To the piercing eye of that inchoate organisation, the Federation of Labour, has been revealed the fact that there is no real difference between the peace aims of Lloyd George and President Wilson and those of leading enemy statesmen. "Therefore," says the federation executive, "let the unions get together, and work for peace." It has circularised its affiliated bodies to that effect —and Ludendorff's millions arc on edge, awaiting the order to go forward and be smashed. The cooing of the local dove is smothered in the roar of Foch and Haig's big peace compellers. Lenin and Trotzky loosed a similar bird, but it returned, in a dilapidated condition, with the manners of an arrogantly-crested eagle. The Federation of Pacifists —to give this self-satisfied body its best title —has no right to prate of peace, even were it the most influential political entity in the country. The opinions of its leaders,, where they are concerned with the war, are hopeless in their ignorance, and hopeless, too, in their blindness to root causes. From a loyal point of view, the war doctrines of the federation are as unhappy as could well be imagined. We know what the Christchurch Bolsheviks think about Samoa. They have an idea that the Government's attitude towards Samoa is likely to prolong the blood welter in Europe. It is a cranky notion, but it is solemnly recommended to the unions for earnest consideration and protest. Then as to peace statements: These perspicacious folk have discovered, or pretend so, what no one outside the Russian Bedlam and the Anglo-French pacifists—a clamorous minority—has discerned. Lloyd George and Count Hertling coincide. The Pope and the Kaiser are in complete unanimity as to the basis of a settlement. We have been shamefully misled then! Ludendorff's desperate efforts the last month are a highly-intensified German camouflage. The Pan-Germans are not actuated by a lust for worldwide domination; in reality they are amiable diplomatists, disguised as cut-throats, who are willing to grip Lloyd George's hand and call the quarrel off on the Entente's terms. The Federation of Labour knows, and is not afraid to publish, the truth. It is prepared to demonstrate that peace could be had for the asking if the British Prime Minister, Clemenceau, and President Wilson would only carry out their professions. The inference, of course, is that the Allies refuse to be reasonable, and are therefore responsible for the perpetuation of the most dreadful struggle in the history of the world. That kind of suggestion comes not inappropriately from a section of the community which, could it have had its way, would have kepi this country in a state of benevolent neutrality from the beginning of the trouble. To our antimilitarists, the war was the usual war instigated by the big armament groups of Europe and maintained for their benefit. Reminders as the "scrap of paper" and the rights of the smaller nations were received with a deep smile or a shrug of the shoulders. These anti-war Lords, far from urging volunteers to the Flag, hindered recruiting by covert methods. In safe quarters themselves, they talked largely and at great length of the devotion of the workers braving the horrors of the front. They were just as eloquent (in the comfort of their offices) as to their- duty to the interests of Labour's warriors—a stay-at-home job carrying no risks. When the cost of living began to rise, they felt that war was hell; that the strain (on the non-lighters) had reached breaking-point. Then, when in conjunction with that tragedy, the flower of the Allied peoples was dying terribly in tens of thousands to make the world safe for democracy, the federation magnates deemed the time ripe to make a fuss about peace—and peace on Germany's terms. Having studiously refrained from assisting to keep civilisation inviolate, our humourless Socialists arrogated to themselves the right to originate a peace campaign. They are sick and tired of the whole wretched business. Meal is up, butler is up, bread is up. Men are enduring the savagery of modern war for 5/- per day. Here, in the Dominion, artisans have to face the horrors of economic pressure on from 10/- to 11/- per day, plus a miserable 10 per cent, dole in the shape of a bonus. There is no justice under heaven. The cause of all this misery is the world conflict. It must be ended without delay. And the Federation of Labour begins its self-appointed herculean task. It circulates an appeal for pacifists and anti-militarists to work, perhaps pray, for peace! Self-interest and complacent fatuity could scarce go further.