Question of Democracy

The seconder of the motion, Mr. Evison, quoted at length from the "N.Z. Tablet," but when questioned by Mr. O'Brien seemed uncertain as to the difference between a Cardinal, and a Pope.

Military conscriptions in peacetime, he said, has always been opposed to democratic thought everywhere. The recruit is not encouraged to think for himself, but to act like a machine. Mr. Evison was not opposed to military service as such. Anyone who really felt that the menace of Russia was growing hour by hour, or that the cause of peace would be materially advanced by his doing so, was perfectly at liberty to join the forces and remain there for the rest of his life.

"Is there any motive behind the fact that those who are to be conscripted will be under the voting age?" asked Miss Searell.

"We Want It But We Don't"

Mr. Curtain (of course) rose to speak. "Are we big enough?" War appeared probable to him, but the rest of his argument was rather difficult to see through the hail of interjections. He thought the balance tipped in favour of conscription.

The pro-conscriptionists were very anxious to make themselves appear anti. Mr. M. O'Brien moved an amendment, the effect of which was that while opposing the principle of peacetime conscription, the Stud. Ass. should co-operate with the Government in such a policy if and when it was considered necessary (by whom?) and if the Government provided adequate study facilities to student trainees (as an afterthought). Mr. O'Brien thought that limiting conscription solely to wartime was an ostrich-like policy. He said he was not trying to rouse feeling against Russia. Who knows that Japan might not be our next enemy? In general, he spent more time in telling us what he did not think than in what he did. Mr. K. O'Connor seconded his amendment.

Mr. McLellan said 18-year-olds were invaluable as cannon-fodder, and so supported conscription. For the rest he was amusingly cynical.

Conscription For What?

"The present scheme for 14 weeks' training for 18-year-olds is the thin end." said Mr. Bernard.

Then Mr. Bell, delightfully informal, referred to the delusion that the only way to prepare for peace was to arm for its opposite. Conscription was the contrary to the spirit of internationalism, which is our only hope. He ridiculed the idea of an army of 18-year-olds "defending the shores of Taranaki against American invaders."

Mr. Edwards raised three important points. Firstly a conscript army under a form of society has been, and could again be used, for beating up striking workers. Secondly the twelve-week period would be inadequate for the technical training necessary for modern warfare anyway, and thirdly the loss of income incurred by full-time students, should they (as they probably would) be in camp over the long vacation, would be fatal to their university careers.

No Compromise

Mr. Hutchings sounded oh so tired of everything, but thought Mr. O'Brien's amendment "the best working compromise." (With whom? No openly or seriously pro-conscription its had taken the floor yet.) He declared himself opposed to "Blimpish-ness."

Referring us back to 1914-18 and 1939-45, Mr. R. Smith said that conscription at this time, 3 years after war had ended, would have a fatal effect on peace morale, and only serve to boost the outlook that regarded war as inevitable, in which a few people have a vested interest. The choice was between peace or war, one world or none.

Mr. Robinson said we should make our views clear to the Government which was only there to serve the people. He was opposed to any wishy-washy amendment.

An 18-year-old. Mr. Temm said he was not afraid to go to camp. He was only too willing to fight (whom?). Other 18-year-olds did not concur.

Red Herring

Mr. Lyons spoke forcibly against the use of the Red Bogey. He had faith in the United Nations, and sought a conscription issue as a question of whether, we were citizens first of New Zealand or the world. In a world which was attempting to put a solution to its problems through internationalism, narrow nationalistic moves like this could only be regarded as sabotage.

Immediately Mr. Lyons sat down the Red Bogey was raised. Mr. Thornton quoted "Pravda" (1928) to prove that the Russians were armed to the teeth, and supported this by proving that democracy in Canada was being undermined by Russian spies.

Mr. Milburn (again): "Now is the time, to say yea or nay . . . there is no force in a compromise." He suggested that Mr. Temm was still free to volunteer.

The Amendment was then put and lost by 38-81.

Second Attempt

On the motion of Mr. K. O'Brien, who vacated the chair for the occasion, the meeting went into committee. Four minutes silent prayer. The meeting emerged from committee. No progress was reported.

Mr. Butchers then proposed a new amendment, not dissimilar to the first. This was seconded significantly by Mr. M. O'Brien, and pat immediately, being lost by 31-87.

Then the motion itself was put (10 p.m.), and carried on an overwhelming voice.

Bailing Up Peter

The second motion (moved Milburn, seconded Evison) was then formally moved. Mr. Piper amended it to read thus: "That this association would be strongly opposed to the conscription of 18-year-olds for military purposes as suggested by the Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives on July the 14th last, as such conscription would be a serious and unwarranted handicap to the education and technical training of the youth of New Zealand. This general meeting, therefore, instructs the Secretary of the Association to write to the Prime Minister requesting that he receive a deputation consisting of the four returned servicemen members of the Students' Association Executive, to ascertain the Government's policy in the matter."

Mr. Piper said that we must bail up Mr. Fraser (and milk him—interjection) and receive a definite assurance that conscription would not be introduced.

The amended motion was carried and the meeting was closed at 10.20.

In the Instituto Fisica, Bologna, a group of students who have no homes, live in a converted laboratory, repaired after bomb damage. They live, study, eat and sleep in this room.