WHO IS THE BEST SOLDIER?

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2567, 15 September 1915, Page 4

WHO IS THE BEST SOLDIER?

YOUTH OR SEASONED MAN. ■ Tho question of whether the age 'at which men may enlist in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force should! be reduced below 20 years or raised above that limit was tho subject of brief remark in the House yesterday. Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki) asked the Minister of Defence whether he had any statement to make with reference to a iletter addressed by Colonel Mackesy, of the Auckland Mounted! Rifles, to the Mayor of Whangarei, in which he asked that 6teps be taken to prevent youths who had not reached years of maturity from joining tile forces. The Minister said that on this matter there was a great diversity of opinion. In a recent letter on the subject, Geneoral Godley had stated that, ho "wanted them young," and was in favour of youths of 20 years of age being enlisted. He (tho Minister) thought that the age between 20 and 40 seemed a reasonable military age, and in this connection he could say that the men now going forward were of a rather more mature age than before. Young men picked up the work quicker, but had not the staying power of older men. He saw no son to alter the system. Boys under 20 were not supposed to he enlisted, though many did jom the forces, just as did men over 40.

Members: And good men, too. The Minister: I think so. I am of opinion that our forces are all right, and I do not see any Teason to altel the system of enlistment.