NATIONAL SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2620, 16 November 1915, Page 4

NATIONAL SERVICE.

Some of our Canterbury contemporaries appear to bo rather concerned over recent utterances of the Minister of_ Defence and Dr- M'Nab on the subject of National Service. Thoy regard tho views expressed by the Ministers in question as to the possibility of National Servioe becoming necessary in New Zealand, in order.to maintain a sufficient supply of reinforcements, as premature. Perhaps they are right, though we do not think so. But it is a little curious that such opinions should he so confidently put forward by journals published in the province which lags so far behind its quota of enlistments under the voluntary system. It is' gratifying to learn that, from their local knowledge, they are satisfied there is still hope of a more spirited response from tho young men of Canterbury; but they can hardly complain if other parts of the Dominion judge them on their performance to date, and have grave doubts on the subject. Those Canterbury men who havo come_ forward have won such distinction in the desperate fighting at Gallipoli that one would expect their splendid example to fire the enthusiasm of those who have stayed behind and lead to an eager rush to the recruiting offices. But such has not been the case so far as Canterbury is concerned. Possibly the visit of the Bth Reinforcements to Christohuroh will have the effect of Bringing home more clearly to the people of Canterbury what is being done and the necessity for fulfilling our obligations, not only to the Empire, but to the men who aro already in the fighting lines, bearing themselves so gallantly, and urgently in need of all the help t we can send them. National Service is the inevitable sequel to failure to meet our obligations by voluntary enlistment. The only alternative is everlasting dishonour.