ARMY TRAINING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 169, 20 July 1942, Page 2

ARMY TRAINING

I have read with interest the letter of "N.M.R. Volunteer" in the Star complaining of the use of fit young men by the army to do clerical work and similar soft jobs which could easily be done by unfit or older men, or by women. Now that married men with children are being called up it seems essential that every effort should be made to see that our best men are used in the place where they can be of most use to our war effort. Where possible some of these married men should replace the young and fit men now in easy jobs. All young men on essential work should have their exemptions reviewed in view of more recent developments. In fact, it seems to me that there is no reason that our conscription should not be made of a type that insists on six months' training for every fit man no matter what his job. If his work is essential he can go back to it after his training is completed. Appeal boards should be cut out altogether. A soldier can be well trained in six months, and could then be discharged with full equipment subject to any order for future mobilisation in an emergency. In a factory on essential work men could be training one or two at a time so as not to seriously interfere with output, as men discharged after training would replace them. Conscientious objectors should be taken off all war work and put to work on roads at soldier's pay. In other words, let us have equal sacrifice, and fairness of compulsioa for all. J.H.D.