From The Sydney Morning Herald:
To the Editor of the Herald.
Sir, — Referring to Mr. Deakin’s conscription proposals, there is one factor which has, I think, been overlooked by the instigators of this diabolical proposition, viz.:— Politicians make restrictive laws, fondly hoping and believing that the people are as craven and devoid of principle as they are themselves, but forgetting that the Czar of All the Russias could not make the Doukhobours fight, nor could all the cruelty of a Claverhouse force Covenanters to worship God according to the instructions of an Established Church. The combination of protectionists and socialists who have forced the Deakin Ministry to propose conscription may take full warning that there is still a “remnant in Israel” who will not “bow the knee to Baal.”
Politicians (in office or out) may propose, but God disposes; and we trust in Him. Our leader, Christ, condemns war, and we will obey Him, trusting in His promise to guide and guard us.
Our brethren in the old land defied one of the strongest Governments the United Kingdom has had, and not only defied but destroyed it, by the wonderful moral force of passive resistance to an unjust tax. We to-day, if need be, will defy and destroy the unholy Deakin-Labour conscription alliance by refusing to be trained or to allow our sons to be trained in the hellish art of war.
I speak, at least, for myself, when I say that I will go to gaol and stay in gaol rather than be involved in war or preparations therefor, and further that I will most cheerfully go to prison rather than allow my son to be taught the awful lesson of wholesale murder otherwise called war.
I am, etc.,
J.R. Firth.
John Robert Firth was an alderman in Strathfield and also served as mayor twice during that span. From surviving records that have made it on-line, his interests included Congregationalism, disarmament via a League of Nations-like world government, and Georgist-style property tax reform.
