PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write in ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless Ibis rule is complied with, their letters will not appear. DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND (To the Editor) Sir,—Conservatism is very keen on defence, but it is pleasing to" note that the young people if “Junius” is a fair sample) are well aware of the futility of armaments. The writer stood on King George’s Hill, outside Albert, in September, 1916, and watched divisions of Empire troops marching in, all in perfect physical condition, in the first bloom of manhood. A few hours later these men were destined to be blown into heaps of mangled humanity bv high explosive from guns lined up wheel to wheel. Then months of agony for the mutilated, men praying to be put out of their suffering, as we would treat a badly-injured animal. But, no; our national hypocrisy says these men shall suffer the tortures of hell. How can anyone dare to call such insanity as war patriotic? The war that was to end war, we were told! What about the young lives sacrificed in vain, and what are the relations of returned soldiers who are howling for armaments to their comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice? Why have so many of these worthy gentlemen never bothered to look into the cause of war? We all know that the ordinary “man in the street” has no wish to fight anyone. This is true of all nations. Yet the international financial gangster is, by devious methods and propaganda, frightening the conservative elements of every nation into a mad race for armaments under the plea of national security, whereas it is well known that the greater the armaments the greater the insecurity. Suppose the London “greybeards” are successful in building the greatest armaments in the world, what then? What will be done with the men so employed? We all know the internal economy of every country would crash like a pricked balloon. It is only the arms expenditure that gives us our present precarious living. Yet the financial gangsters are busily stacking up all this expenditure (created out of the inkpot) for “Junius” and his generation to pay. As far as New Zealand is concerned, a raiding enemy could easily smash all our seaports without landing a man, so that the proposals of the Defence League are childish. If the “timid” will feel safer with armaments the only practical proposition is a strong air force that can maintain our frontier 100 miles at sea. Mr Johnson dodged the awkward questions asked by “Junius.” I invite Mr Johnson to state the attitude of the Defence League in regard to the conscription of wealth as well as of life in the event of war. And does the league believe it fair that all who carry on the nation in war time shall receive only the same pay as the troops? And, finally, how does the league pose to finance its proposals, since the country is already insolvent? By debt-free money?—l am. etc., R. G. YOUNG. Gordonton, December 26. dominion defence

(To the Editor) Sir, —Probably by the time this appears in print your correspondent “Escaped Gun Meat” may feel answered, in part at least, by "the last letter I wrote on the above subject, riiere are. however, minor points in his remarks which might well be cleared up, if I may have the courtesy of. further space. Let hirn understand that my original criticisms were far from being “cheap sneers.” A sneer implies something of cold-blooded contempt, and there was certainly little eold-blnodedness in my feelings. Rarely, indeed, have I felt so hot under the collar as when the letter was written, and so far there has been nothing in the replies received to justify any material reduction in temperature. Surely one is entitled to expect a modicum of thinking from such an organisation as the Defence League. It is charged with a worthy and a weighty mission, but what good can it do if its members cannot, or will not, give a plain answer to criticisms? What have we had so far? A heap of abuse because someone imagines that his personal honour is impugned, when all that we criticise is brain power ex- | hibited. sneers at “the talking demo- | crafs.” and criticisms of present-day | youth—in short, verbiage. Such is the I contribution of “Escaped Gun Meat*’ | to a controversy which is of vital im- | portance to all of us. j Let “Escaped Gun Meat” tic a wet. J cloth round His head and sit down to j some hard thinking. We are criticised I because we want, to think first an i j base our actions on sound thinking. How easy it would he for us to go ! with the tide and agree, agree, agree 1 with the Defence League. We'respert I its motives, hut suspect its means, and If “Escaped Gun Meat” and his col-, leagues think that the policy of 19141918 should be the model for the successful conduct of a war. we disagree in toto. Unlike the Bourbons, they have learned nothing and forgotten much. How long is it to take us to drive Into their heads the fact that if there is a next war it is going to he a “total” war? T seem to recollect- that many of the local members of the Defence League strenuously opposed the socalled “regimentation” of doctors under the social security legislation. They are now, however, just as strenuously in favour of regimenting our youth. Do they not perceive that in the present state of the world there must not be regimentation of one section of the community lest democracy itself be threatened? is it not better politics, and better strater-ry as well, to regiment everything and everybody, since in common submission to the common will there can be no hint of . undemocratic action? Where are the strategists of the : Defence League that, no mention has j been made of the necessity for a mill- j I ary alliance with Russia to hold j Japanese Imperialism in check? Or j Is Russia not pukka enough ? Is tt j considered that Metre Hill and Tan- j nenburg are adequate criteria hv which to judge the Soviet of to-day? I I bring these matters up merely to | Illustrate how superficial is the Dcj fence League’s comprehension of the I tactical and strategic problems which

confront us—as far as we can judge by their published statements, at any rate. From the above I trust that even “Escaped Gun Meat” will comprehend that the youth of the oountry, far from being inert and supine in the face of danger, are at least as fully awake to the dangers of the moment as the majority of their elders. They are no less loyal and no less ready to take up arms now, but they demand that preparedness should immediately extend to all fields of national activity. That is not subversive in any way; it covers the bare necessities of the situation, and far from being disloyal. It represents a fuller and more rational programme than the limping, onesided conscription proposal of the league. “Escaped Gun Meat” we may be, but I can assure your correspondent, Sir, that we have no intention whatever of being “bullied beef.”—l am, etC " JUNIUS. Hamilton. December 22.