MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1916, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE.

debate continued. SOME INTERESTING SPEECHES. THE HOUSE ALMOST UNANIMOUS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames), in continuing the debate, said that he sup ported the principle ho as to ensure equality of sacrifice. He believed, however, that it was the duty of Parliament to make adequate prov'-von for men and their dependents. He agreed with the previous speakers that the wealtht of the community should be called lip to provide for the war, and he also believed in securing a proportion of the war profits, Mr, W. T. Jennings (Taujnarunui), warned the House against military despotism. Although he would support the Bill on the second "reading he proposed to strenuously oppose some clauses in com:nitte.e What he mainly objected to was the "swagger" of some officers. > Hon. Jas. A'len: "There is no "swagger" in our army." Mr. Jennings: "Oh, yes!" He complained of the delay in the payment of dead soldiers' hack pay, and hoped that the Bill would compel those now shirking to come forward. Mr. W. J. Kckie (Sehvyn) supported the principle of the Bill, and had confidence that the Government would do their best. He praised the administration of the D'fence Department by the Minister, but objected to boys of under twenty going *o the war. The Bill was necessary as a matter of justice to our gallant Allies. Mr. J. T. M. (Wairarapa), could not admit the f<rce of those who objected to corr pulsion He complained of the levelling-down tactics of some of thoso living in the country. The man who spoke wita a view of deterring recruiting was guilty of disloyalty of the worst kind, ard was worse than a German. There had bet 11 threats maile that if the iiill passed it would be followed by industrial trouble. It was a disgrace to any man to utter one word against recruiting wh'le the enemy was at the gates. We had to maintain our pledge, given on the outbreak of war, or be everlastingly disgraced. He quoted mstam as of sons who had been prevented by their fathers from enlisting, and asked, Was this fair? He offered a tribute of honor to the noble manner in which working men had offered their services, and looked forward to them doing even better, in the future. He considered that a conscientious objector to fighting for his country houid not be allowed to vote.' Mr. J. S Dickson (Tort Chalmers), regretted thai the Bill had not been. Introduced 111 the previous session. In his opinion the voluntary system had been a failure, and he favored alteration of enlisting ages to 21 and 55 years, He said that members of the Exemption Board would have to bo very carefully selected. Mr. H. J. Okey (Tnranaki), pointed out that the principle of compulsion proved effective in ISS? in the time of the Maori War. He supported the Bill, to which the necessary amendments would no doubt be made in committee. Mr. A. E. Glover (Auckland Central), supported the Bill which he regarded as a matter of expediency Mr. W. Noswortliy (Ashburton), alluded to the sacrifices made by all sections of the community; if any sections had failed it had been the statesmen and politicians. He regretted that the Government had not brought down the measure earlier. He believed I he Bill to be a good one, with few loopholes for escape. The majority of speeches in the debate had been loyal and patriotic. He took strong exception to the remarks made to the effect that the rich were not doing their share. The Labor members were opposed to conscription. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), said that when there was a surplus of population the voluntary system was satisfactory, but the time had arrived wljen the compulsory system was required. Labor members should support the Bill, as they claimed that sons of rich men were not enlisting under the voluntary system, and this Bill would compel all classes, without reservation, to join the colors. He trusted the Government to do its plain duty in regard to taxation, More would have to he done <n this direction than in the past. He complained that legislation was being brought down in piecemeal fashion, and considered that provision should be made to assist those with financial obligations who might be conscripted. He held it to bs the duty of every member to give all possible assistance in making the Bill, a complete success. FEELING OF THE MAORIS. Hon. A. T. Ngata made a lengthy statement as to the history of the Maori contingent. The men at the front were calling for reinforcements. No Maori blood could be shed without calling for revenge, and that war, ihe reason why the Natives asked to be included in the Military Service Bill. He thought his race would bo invigorated by the war, and that many misunderstandings between the two races would disappear as (lie result of fighting side by side. He warned the House that if the Military Service Board were composed of military men the whole thing would break down. So far as the Maoris were concerned he would exempt the Maori race from the Bill, but there really was no necessity for its exempt-on. He mentioned that recruiting in Rotorua district had been such a success that it cost £4O per recruit PRIME MINISTER IN REPLY. A VIGOROUS SPEECH. Mr. Massey said that the policy of the Government since the war began had been in support of Empire, and to keep the country prosperous. After two years of war no one could say they had not done their duty, and that the country was not prospering With regard to the organisation of industries he mentioned that instead of the census being taken next year it had beeij arranged tluit it would be taken in October next. He appreciated the remarks of members concerning the marriage clause of the Rill, and lie could state that he and his colleagues were prepared to amend thtat clause. He also appreciated the remarks of Hon. A. T. Ngata concerning the Maoris and compulsion and if the Maori members desired it they were prepared to eliminate Maoris from the Bill, leaving them to volunteer. He pointed out that in the dark days of the Maori War conscription was genera! in the Auckland district. The Bill did not at all' do away with voluntaryism, and he would say that no Bill .that .had ever (

come before Parliament had received such consideration as the present one. The compulsory clauses of the BIQ would not be put into operation unlaw some district failed to produce its quotas. The difference between their Bill and thq Rill of Abraham Lincoln was that tbeh* made no distinction between nrillio&* . aire and wage earner, whereas lincoMa i measure allowed a man to provide ai • substitute or to buy lvmself out. Ttw* difference betwtjen Lincoln's war and oul own was that the former fought for freedom of slaves, and we were fighting for our own freedom. They had noi compelled one Territorial to go to the war, as lud been suggested by soznq members. • ' Regarding Labor's f-ttitude in tin House, he challenged the member fos Lyttelton to speak on behalf of Labor. He asked him if it were a faot that it a recent meeting in Wellington, when A unanimous vote against compulsion wm said to liave been carried, many of thtt delegates present left the room. Mr. MeCombs: "That is absolutely fru correct." Mr. Massey: "I was told that it ni so by a member of the present forces. who was present." Continuing, he directed the attention of the House to several resolutions ear* ried and enactments passed in refutation of allegations that there was no author* ity for the sending away of Expedi* tjonary Forces. He believed j that the people had made groat sacrifices and would go far, but he also believed that they would be called upon to greater sacrifices in the Suture. Bq would y that the honor of the country was 0 L'rned, and that the 60,000 who had gone away would be supported up to the last man in the country. The State was entitled for its defence to the services of every man in the community, While European countries were armed w) the teeth it was foolish for Britain toga on depending upon money and (u voluntary army. Dealing with the arguments concent* ing conscription of wealth, Mr. Maasay stated that the war was costing us something like twelve millions annually, and if some of the >mbers' argument* were carried out ey shouW collect eleven millions in the country tinnualljr. Of course, that was absurd. He men* tioned, with regard to the Military Ber* vice Board, that they would probably find a Stipendiary Magistrate presiding, over the tribunal. Tie further stated that telegrams were beginning to come in to him and other members of the Government suggesting that peace terns should be arranged in the not too distant future. He hoped that there would be no premature peacv. and that'there would be no peace until the Allies ad* ministered the "knock-out blow." Mr. McCombs stated that he had the . assurance of the Secretary of the Trades Hall that Mr Massey's assertion that there was a diversion of (finion concerning theTiill was contrary, to fact. ■' Hon. R. Buddo (Kaiapoi), supported ' the Bill, because among other it brought all classes.irrtd line. Hon. G. W. Russell raid that he had Sir Joseph Ward's authority for aay- • ing that he hoped to be present at the third reading, to be able to state that the Bill had his full support. The Bill had been given most careful consideration, and was placed before the House as perfect as possible. Members would note that telegrams in the newspapers showed that the Bill had already caused a sharp rise in recruiting. However, they had to redeem their promissory note. The Bill presented an alternative, should the voluntary system not supply the reinforcements required. He explained matters in regard to the taking of the ballot. The Crown was taking' no steps to claim exemption for their / servants but would be in the same position as private employers. After several other members had spoken, Hon. 3ames Allen replied, and second reading was carried by 49 to 6. The House rose at 1.40 a.m.