OUR WAR EFFORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 69, 2 October 1939, Page 4

OUR WAR EFFORT

Sir, —In a leader of to-day's publication of the NeAv Zealand Herald date 29th September, is a lengthy article dealing with the failure of tlie able bodied single men, to rush to the colours. Figures prove the position to be serious. 6600 officers and men were needed. In the country to-day there are approximately 130, 000 single men between the ages of 21 and 35 jet after a week cil recruiting the services of married men have to be utilised to augment the present total to that which aimed at. I trust these facts ar.e not published overseas,. What a choice piece of propaganda it would make for the German short wave station. Just think of it. The most British or England's Dominions unable to raise a mere sixtj* six hundred volunteers fit for active service. Listen in regularly to the German session

in English and a morsel like our seemingly reluctance to do our bit would be served out with German thoroughness and to a degree \VQ would deserve it.

To the man in the street comes the query—Why are our boys not showing the enthusiasm that was evident when the Mother Country sent out the appeal in 1914. There are several questions and answers to that ancl other thoughts which must permeate the minds of all returned soldiers. The answers to these provides a long story. Over the last dozen years and beyond that' 'boys at school have been taught that fighting and even indulging in any games like cowboys a<nd Indians so dear to the boys of pre-war and during Avar days was l something to be frowned at and crushed at once. Many mothers also absolutely prohibited their children from engaging in football, and other manly games as being too lough. A fight between two lads was once a joy but these days authority seems to have even, made that a sin. In short the warlike spirit in the youth of post-war days has been crushed.. It is quite true that oifi recent years anyone wear ing khaki was looked on as being a fool and openly sneered at. So with all those tfacts it is easily understood why the youth of the" country is not rushing in offering their services. That they will do so of course is understood but something will have to be done to get them on the move. As in 1914 we are miles away from the war zone. After August 4th twenty five years ago- the war atmosphere prevailed everywhere' throughout the Dominion. Sporting fixtures were held in, abeyance until people could settle down to normal existence and that meant then a flood of enthusiasm for patriotic works. The children at school knitted socks and halaca,lavas. Evervond in khaki was a "big shot.." Contrast that to the present day. Things are quiet and young women who were the best recruiting agents in the last show seem to 'just regard the present serious state of afTai's as some thing that does not concern them. In fact several have openly flaunted their views that any fellow AvTid signs up is a fool. Times have certainly changed.

The All Black trials are still being played. The money spent in conveying the players to Wellington could be used to much better advantage. Every sane minded persoti must know that unless a miracle happens the South African tour can not eventuate next season. Again over the radio we hear Parliament wasting precious hours debating war finance bills that have to go through. We are fighting against Nazism and Dictatorship yet at times they seem a necessary evil. Again I say if important bodies like the N.Z. Rugby Union and Parliament "carry on" as usual ancl I stress the case c<£ the New Zealand Rugby Union. The heads of that see fit to assume that hostilities will be over within a year They should know and therefore the would-be recruit may well assume! that his period in camp will be in some respects a waste oifi time and' in spite of all that is quite a logical argument.

In 1914 a soldier went to camfof with the secure knowledge that after) a period of training he would go overseas. The spirit ofl adventure call' ed. The present day recruit might not leave New Zealand. However my argument is hardly sound there as' every able bodied citizen sliould serve a period of training if only for home defence.

(Continued foot previous column)