LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2539, 13 August 1915, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CONSCRIPTION ADVOCATED. Sir, —The announcement made at tho Town Hall by Mr. Massey on Wednesday last of the additional two contingents, with the Reinforcements necessary keep these full, must make many think that tho fairest way to all at this national crisis is to bring in conscription. The present system of voluntary enlistment is manifestly unfair. For instance, I have one son (an only child), who has voluntered for the front. Ho threw up a good profession to do so, in which he was doing well. A near neighbour of mine has four sons, one of whom is. lit and able, but not desirous of enlisting, and another barely vet old enough to enlist, the other two being boys. If my boy returns, he will not only have lost tho time my neighbour's boy (of military age) has had for his studies, but will almost certainly be unlit for his profession for all time. Now, Ido not grudge giving my boy to his country. God forbid at a time like this that I should hold him back, when every man is wanted at the front. But 1 do say it is not fair that he, the only child, should be risking his life while my neighbour has no intention of allowing any of his boys to enlist. • My son will, as I say, on his return he placed at a hopeless disadvantage as compared with tho lad who has stayed at home and let tho "other fellow" do tho work. A great deal too much has been said about "preference" to those who havo been men enough to risk their lives for the Empire upon their return. Possibly tho Government may be relied upon to act up to its promises in this respect. But the commercial class and the farmers will not inquiro whether an applicant for employment has been to tho war. but whether lie can "deliver the goods." I have, Sir, seen in the Old Country men returned from the South African War walking the streets vainly seeking employment. Tho mere fact of having been to' the war was quite enough to debar them from employment. There is "uoiio of your beastly sentiment" about business, and other things being equal, the fittest mail gets the. job. This being so, and it being plain that to rely on men's gratitude lasting longer than six months after the declaration of peace, would be obvious folly, is it not fairer that nil thoso of military ago should havo the same risks and responsibilities? As it is now, you aro taking all the noblest, best, and most chivalrous manhood out of the country, to lay down its life, or to return maimed or incapacitated for life, while the shirkers are left behind to tako' all the billets worth having, and to become the potential parents of tlia future. Conscription would at least equalise matters, and would leavo some of the best to continue the race.— 1 am - CtC " PARENT. August 7, 1915. A DISAPPOINTED RECRUIT. Sir,—There is much dissatisfaction among the citizens with the method of tho Government in the number of troops they are sending to tho assistance of Britain, and 'her Allies. Most of us think a lot moro could and should ho done. The deputation of Wellington citizens, headed by the Mayor (Mr. Luke) that was to have an interview with the Minister of Defence (tho Hon. J. Allen) fairly proves this; also, some of the returned troopers expressed surprise and disappointment at seeing 'so mr.ii.y young men on the wharf to welcome them homo, and wondered what they were doing here. I guess they overlooked the fact that a largo ■ percentage of the young men are enrolled and have been waiting for months, and therefore are not to blame. There was an argument in tho House lately with Eonio of our representatives and the Minister of Defence because some young men felt obliged to journey to Sydney ] to enlist, as tho system here was too slow for their liking. If thia was carried on to any considerable extent tho civilian population of this Dominion would not like it. No doubt New Zealand wishes to have all duo credit for her share in the struggle. As a means of giving the Government a hustle I would suggest that all tliose in the Wellington district (the same applies to other centres) that consider themselves fit and are tired of waiting should make some arrangement and form a company of 200 or so, and all leave tho city together for Sydno.v. I believe thev would got a good send-off, and it would point out to the Government where its duty lay. There is a lot of peoplo writing to the various daily papers and continuously calling for moro men, who say it is a shame to see so many young men still at home. I think t'heso folk should reconsider their attitude and look into tho matter, then they, too, will see that the young men aro not to blame; I enlisted over a month ago for the Sth Reinforcements and had the sergeant's word for it that I would get to camp about mid-August, and now I find my name is not in the list, and will lis obliged to wait another two months. (I had stronsr reasons for not enlisting sooner.) Please, Sir, can you. tell me if there is anv of tho large centres in the North or South Island behind with the number of men expected from them ? (T heard a storv to that effect about. Dunedin.) Or if I journey to one suoh and 'enlisted, would I have any better chance cf getting straight away to camp than I havo in this district?—l am, etc.. CONSTANT READER, "Constant Reader's" last question was submitted to ihe Defence Minister yesterday. His Teply was that as men are called up in proportion to the number of enlistments in every district an intending recruit's chances should be practically tho same in whatever district he registers. Mr.. Allen might havo added that as two extra battalions are to bo called up in two months, all intending recruits who icgister within that period aro likely tc be required.