FREE MEN OR FORCED MEN.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 6

FREE MEN OR FORCED MEN.

Sir, —Granted that this war is colossal. yet surely that very fact should sink 4eep into tho minds of all British

men, and draw them to leave theit civilian employment and become soldiers of the King. There is no sadder spec* tacle to-day than the poor 1 response log, soldiers, and why ? For one reason, the spirit permdating the country to-day is largely due to tile influence of the Press (your own paper in particular),-and also to tho utterances oi some oi our Parliamentary leprescntativcs. And what is that spirit, that feeling, stirred up amongst the people? Just tho impression mat conscription is the most desirable,. or rather die easiest way, 'of obtaming the soldiers we so urgently require. Once you let that impression become dominant, then voluntary enlistinen, suango to say, slackens. 13ut why ioster this doctrine of conscription at [all? Surely when weighed in tub balance the voluntary army is better (other advantages being equal) than the conscript Especially is this likely 1o bo true of Juiglish armies and colonial. Can you imagine any Englishman who knows the history of his country refusing to light for the liberty ho is so privileged to possess? One hears of the person who does not go because so-and-so has not yet gone, and because ailother man with no dependents lias not yet enlisted and does not intend to do so. What beautiful logic! What a high perspective of life iven with such excuses must possess.. I suppose they rule their lives by what their neighbours do. Truly "all we like sheep have gono astray." Now, sir, once allow that comparing spirit to be fostered among the people, and all will humanly be looking to see what is to prevent them joining the forces, instead of taking a high outlook, exerting their own individuality and boldly striking out for what they know in their inmost hearts to bo the right and proper course to adopt! And what sort of lead did the Press give in strengthening that seed of good intent? In many a leader and subleader of your paper' I have read halfhearted appeals for recruits, ending up generally with a kind of jarring note to tlio effeefc thafc if you don't enlist so'oiij mil •' soon compel you to do so, liiis is just the sort oi thing to rub an englishman uj> the wrong way. Threat-en him and lie will most likely turn round and fight you. Put tho position in a straightforward, manly way, and rouse up a feeling of emulation'to join the army, permeate the country with such n sense of pride that everyone will want to have relatives in tho firing-line, exert such a recruiting enthusiasm that a man* will bo ashamed to show himself if he has, no good reason for not doing his duty, then I am sure our reinforcements will bo full to overflowing. Tho position to-day is a sad one'indeed. Surely there is no surer sign of the decline of our Umpire than tho plain fact that men are not willing to conic forwardl and fight for their liberties. Somo silly, petty excuse stands in the way.' .Their neighbour might obtain tho advantage over them while they are away. Who will be tho happier man when the war is over—the noighbour who did his duty or the cue who stayed at home groping in the mire after filthy lucre? True happiness comta from duty nobly done, from sacrifices made; arguments can be turned momentarily against this doctrine, but in the end the doctrine holds out sound iiid true. New Zealand is about to remove from its men and women folk the task of choosing the path of duty, and spoonfeed its people, thereby making them tho,less able in the future to overcome . evil- and slothfulness:-/ ■■ '

It would bo foolish. to ba blind-to the arguments brought forward in favour ni conscription. They are many, but don't stand the searching rays of truth or the highest moral perspective. for a: nation to aim at. One might ask why has not ■the* Government recruiting scheme been more enthusiastically taken; up. Partly, because the Press have given it tha cold shoulder; the wrong impression 01 duty is 'abroad. Business men can't tf bothered. The members of our Parliament so often refer to conscription tha) it is uppermost iu the people's minds. So why trouble about volunteers? The plain fact is that the question of recruiting has been badly mismanaged and misunderstood. Had the Press and Parliament boosted voluntary enlistment from the beginning and left the conscript idea in the background, surely we would not he in the position we are to-day. There is 110 need to detail the evils of conscription, and the altered tone of our military camps, etc. It is the easiest way, on'paper, of obtaining our army. It remains to be seen how it will work in years to come on the moral standing of the nation. A. little encouragement in the way of financial support to those with dependents would, I am sure, improve the position of recruiting, this letter has rambled 011 far longer than I intended, yot 1 trust you will some day soon see your way to let it appear 111 ■print. Thauking you in anticipation, I am, etc.-, K . MURRAY. April <39. -s_;.