The Parliamentary Committee are convinced that one important factor in the present European struggle has to be borne in mind, so far as our own country is concerned, namely, that in the event of the voluntary system of military service failing, the country in this its time of need, the demand for a national system of compulsory military service will not only be made with redoubled vigour, but may prove to be so persistent and strong as to become irresistible.
The prospect of having to face conscription, with its permanent and heavy burden upon the financial resources of the country, and its equally burdensome effect upon nearly the whole of its industries, should in itself stimulate the manhood of the nation to come forward in its defence, and thereby demonstrate to the world that a free people can rise to the supreme heights of a great sacrifice without the whip of conscription.
Another factor to be remembered in this crisis of our nation's history, and most important of all so far as trade unionists and Labour in general are concerned, is the fact that upon the result of the struggle in which this country is now engaged rests the preservation and maintenance of free and unfettered democratic government which in its international relationship has in the past been recognised, and must unquestionably in the future prove to be the best guarantee for the preservation of the peace of the world.
The mere contemplation of the overbearing and brutal methods to which people have to submit under a Government controlled by a military autocracy—living, as it were, continuously under the threat and shadow of war—should be sufficient to arouse the enthusiasm of the nation in resisting any attempt to impose similar conditions upon countries at present free from military despotism.
But if men have a duty to perform in the common interest of the State, equally the State owes a duty to those of its citizens who are prepared—and readily prepared—to make sacrifices in its defence and for the maintenance of honour. Citizens called upon voluntarily to leave their employment and their homes for the purpose of undertaking military duties have a right to receive at the hands of the State a reasonable and assured recompense, not so much for themselves as for those who are dependent upon them, and no single member of the community would do otherwise than uphold a Government which in such an important and vital matter took a liberal, and even generous, view of its responsibilities towards those citizens who come forward to assist in the defence of their country.
We respectfully commend this suggestion to the favourable consideration of the Government of the day.
Long life to the free institutions of all democratically-governed countries.
| J.A. Seddon, Chairman | W. Mosses | |
| W.J. Davis, Vice-Chairman | J.W. Ogden | |
| A. Evans | A. Smith | |
| H. Gosling | H. Smith | |
| J. Hill | J.B. Williams | |
| J. Jenkins | J.H. Williams | |
| W. Matkin | J. Sexton | |
| C.W. Bowerman, Secretary. | ||
A manifesto on the same lines was issued by Mr. Ben Tillett, on behalf of the Dockers' Union. Mr. Ben Tillett was usually regarded as being the leader of one of the extreme sections of the Labour movement; but his manifesto, which reads as follows, lacked nothing in patriotism:
Every resource at our command must be utilised for the purpose of preserving our country and nation. Every able-bodied man must either fight, or be ready to defend his country. Every family of those men who go to the front must be guaranteed a competence and food.