OUR REINFORCEMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2668, 13 January 1916, Page 9

OUR REINFORCEMENTS.

OF WHOM ARE THEY COMPOSED? Sir, —It was my privilege to be present at a send-off of a quotient of tho 12th from a country town. : There was much enthusiasm and sympathy apparent. When the good Mayor spoke, ho drew attention to this with some pride. Then he touched on coiiEcription, which he deprecated, saying that he was sure plenty of boys would come forward to supply the ranks with men. The use of these differing terms drew my scrutiny to tho double row of young fellows in front of him. Personal knowledge told me most were under twenty, only 0110 would be over twenty-five. As I mused the fire kindled and moved me to write thus. In ancient times—and times not ancient, too—men went forth Ho fight for country and kindred. Now and here our boys are doing it. Heaven bless their brave young hearts! But why this? Where are our men, and what are they doing ? Literally one is at his farm, another at his merchandise (making far too much money to leave it), and another has married a wife, and therefore cannot come. And some must have very "col&feet," possibly through indigestion caused by. a troubled conscience. Well, marching is tho best remedy for cold feet. It is a troublesome fact that many of the dear lads enlisting arc unfler age, and who can blame the hard-worked recruiting officers, often at their wit's end to make up the monthly complement. Everyone knows the double peril of a campaign to the youth not yet firmed up in his development. To him illnesn is a greater menace than shrapnel. And jffc in all the country through some men are folding their arms and letting their young brothers shoulder tho nation's duty. 'Tis not only tho single who fail to play the mail. Over a dozen married childless men, or having one child, and in easy circumstances, could go from here, but they are sheltering behind their wives'-petticoats. Shame 011 the women, too, who let them do it. When will we have conscription, and fair playP —I am, etc., FIDES ET JUSTITIA. Hawera.