The historical significance of the First World War greatly impacted New Zealanders and New Zealand society as a whole. The First World War was the first international conflict that heavily called upon all members of society to assist, mainly the British Empire, and insisted that all eligible New Zealand men enlist to the cause. The idea of volunteering, and later conscription, reveals that it was an expectation of the men to go to war and they should show a willingness to fight for the dominion. At the time of the war, New Zealand was under heavy influence of Great Britain, so seemingly evident New Zealand was even considered more British than the British. New Zealand was quick to give any aid to the war and to help Britain, the extreme measures they went to do this caused unrest in society and small town communities. The loss of lives placed strain on families and impacted on small town communities as they lost farm and industrial workers. The deaths of individuals greatly impacted the family dynamics and instability was found when regular income, payment of men from their war efforts, was cut off due to an imminent death.
Nearing the end of the war and after it, reflection on attitudes towards war and involvement in conflicts has revealed that New Zealanders do not necessarily think that going to war facilitates peace and solves conflict. The treatment of conscientious objectors outraged members of society and James Allen, minister of defence, was seemingly careless on their treatment and whereabouts. Public knowledge of their treatment came will mixed opinions; some thought the men had brought it on themselves, others sympathised to the lack of care and punishments they were dealt with. Allen stated; ‘No one regrets more than I do that it has been necessary to punish in any way the conscientious objectors, but it is obvious that unless something were done consciences would develop to an abnormal degree’. This quote reveals that Allen, like most officials, did not hold patience or an understanding towards conscientious objectors and were intolerable to their cause. As the number of causalities and death increased on the Front Line, the need for more men to enlist back home consequently increased. As these men were difficult to deal with, tempers ran short with them.
To conclude, the First World War revealed that society and military officials were intolerable to dissent and any unlawful behaviour that would consequently harm the dominion and the protection of New Zealand. New Zealand's reputation became a factor to protecting it and further demanding all eligible men enlist to the war. The use of Field Punishment was to help keep the men under control and served as a deterrent for the men not to re-offend. Even though there were measures put in place to make sure the system was just, abuse of the severity of the punishments could be observed.
Nearing the end of the war and after it, reflection on attitudes towards war and involvement in conflicts has revealed that New Zealanders do not necessarily think that going to war facilitates peace and solves conflict. The treatment of conscientious objectors outraged members of society and James Allen, minister of defence, was seemingly careless on their treatment and whereabouts. Public knowledge of their treatment came will mixed opinions; some thought the men had brought it on themselves, others sympathised to the lack of care and punishments they were dealt with. Allen stated; ‘No one regrets more than I do that it has been necessary to punish in any way the conscientious objectors, but it is obvious that unless something were done consciences would develop to an abnormal degree’. This quote reveals that Allen, like most officials, did not hold patience or an understanding towards conscientious objectors and were intolerable to their cause. As the number of causalities and death increased on the Front Line, the need for more men to enlist back home consequently increased. As these men were difficult to deal with, tempers ran short with them.
To conclude, the First World War revealed that society and military officials were intolerable to dissent and any unlawful behaviour that would consequently harm the dominion and the protection of New Zealand. New Zealand's reputation became a factor to protecting it and further demanding all eligible men enlist to the war. The use of Field Punishment was to help keep the men under control and served as a deterrent for the men not to re-offend. Even though there were measures put in place to make sure the system was just, abuse of the severity of the punishments could be observed.