Why There Should Be Conscription

Chronicle (Levin), 26 March 1949, Page 4

Why There Should Be Conscription

Ahdrfew

Russell)

(By

Major-General Sir

Thirty years ago Australia and New Zealand w'ere outposts of Western civilisation, thinly populated but very desirable countries. Geographically, part df Asiaj 4s Brifain is part of Etirbpe, they pufsued their way behind the shield of the British Navy.

Two World Wars have jalteled all that. Today nbither the iiiahpower nor the economic resources bf Britain are such as to allow her to bffer us a guarantee bf security — a guarantee for #hich, fin'der the Circumstances, it would be unfdir and useless to ask. . The United States of America' has her own views and her own responsibilities. We cannot influfen'ce the one nor define the other. To whom th'en; mi^t we turn, if iiot to ourselves? Tdday, thbiigh foftunately as -yet at Sorhe conMderable distance, Australia and New Zekland are face to face with the fever-increasing millibris bn the indinland of an awakened A3i4, td whom we have confided the secrets bf Science and the technique of fiow to use them in the art bf warfdre. Thus, sparse as is the population bf Australia arid New Zbaland, , it is 411the mbre incdmberit on us tb see that the most effective use is . made of our.power to resist possjble aggressioii, ahd so prfes'dfVe bUr hefitage for our children. This nbcessitates the development of industries necessary to the J

production of War material and above 411 the training df our manhood and w'omanhood so that we shall be adequately prepared in cake df 4n einergency. Only a systeih of universai hational servicb will do this; voluntary service will not— it will not produce tne required numbers upon. Which safety depends. Asia's problbms in bver-popula-tion must find their solution in either ultimate aggression (forcible expansion overseas) ,. or in ■ thb •att4iiiment df a higher standard of living. Universai service is democratie because it is .fair; the voluntary system is ffhddihSbfatic because it is unfair — ^leaving tb the few what is the obligation of everyone. By universai training the security bf the cduntfy may be safely guaranteed; the health of the traihees will be gfeatiy jihproved) thereby raisirig the geiieral physical standard of the race; and the trainee, by mixing with.. all t sorts 4nd conditions bf His fellows, will form lasting friendships and get 4 better iindefst4hding bf thSir points of view.