Why There Should Be Conscription

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1949, Page 4

Why There Should Be Conscription

Andrew

Russell)

1 (By

Major-General Sir

Thirty years ago Australia and New Zealand were outposts of Western civilisatlon, thinly^ populated but very desirable countries. Geog\raphically part of Asia, as Britain is part of Europe, they pursued their way behind the shield of the British Navy.

Two World Wars have altered all that. Today neither the manpower nor the economic resources of Britain are such as to allow her to offer us a guarantee of security — a guarantee for which, under the circumstances, it would be unfair. and useless to ask. The United States of America has her own views and her owh rpsponsibilities. We cannot influence the *one nor define the other. To whom then must we turn, if not to ourselves? Today, though fortunately as yet at some considerable distance, Australia and New Zealand are face to fq.ee yvith the evet-increasing millions on the mainland of an awakened Asia, to whom we have confided the secrets of science and the technique of how to use them in the art of warfare, Thus, sparse as is the population of Australia and New Zealand, it is all the more incumbent on us to see that the most effective use is made of our power to resist possible aggression, and so preserve our heritage for our children. This necessitates . the development of industries necessary to the production of war material and

above all the training of our manhood and womanhood su that we shall he adequate y prepared in case of an emergency . Only a system of universal national service will do this; voluntary service will not — it will not produce the required numbers upon which safety depends. Asia's problems in over-popula-tiori' must find their solution in either ultimate aggression (foj-cible expansion overseas), or in the attainment Of a higher standard of living. •Universal service is democratic because it is fair; the voluntary system is undemocratic because it is unfair — leaving to the few what is the obligation of everyone. By universal training the security of the country may be safely guaranteed; the health of the trainees will be greatly improved, thereby raising the general physical standard of the race; and the trainee, by mixing with all sorts and conditions of his feliows, will form lasting friendships and get a betfcer understanding of their points of view.