The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1916. THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2784, 31 May 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1916. THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

spns opening speeches of the deOate on tho second reading of the Military Service Bill convey the impression that Parliament is sincerely desirous of dealing with the recruiting problem in a fair and effective manner. Tho Government has reason to bo satisfied with tho seneral spirit of the discussion. A good start has been made, and it is to be ■hoped that tho-same rational and fwfT will ™aintained thioughout tho various stages through which tho Bill will have to Book' l(> rea , ches tho Statute ,°f; ¥ a «y members feel that the bioad principles of tho measure have aiieady been adequately discussed in the ±<ress, on the platform, in the and m tho family circle, and are inclined-to -reserve their comments until the dotails come up for consideration Committee. This is fluite a legitimate attitude to adopt. But those who_ think that they ought to express their views on tho second roading are, of course, quite within their rights m doing so. It should bo helpful to . the Government to know the mind of members regarding the main features of the Bill. It ,'.S 1 ™ Ministers an opportunity ox thinking over tho points raised by critics and should placo them in a better position to decide on the amendments that aro sure to be moved later on. Intelligent criticism should be welcomed. It is well that legislation of such importance as that proposed in tho Military oervice Bill should be subjected to the keenest scrutiny, and that it should be examined from every point of view. During yesterday's debate some useful _ suggestions wcro made, and expression was given to a number of doubts and difficulties which are troubling the public mind. A' few wild words were spoken, but taken as a whole tho criticism was of a constructive character and indicated a genuine wish to make the B'ill as perfect as possible. Tho Minister of Defence did not have a difficult task in justifying tho principle of compulsory service., Tho most pronounced opponent of tho Bill did not go. so far as to contend that defeat would be proferablo to compulsion. The. hostile critics based their objection mainly on tho grounds that the voluntary system had Mt yet proved a failure, and that tjicre would be no need for conscription if more generous financial inducements were offered in order to attract men to the colours.

Of course everyone knew that the member for Grey (Mr. Webb) would declare that there was no necessity for the Bill. He said just what members expected him to say. The bogey of Prusslanism was trotted out once more, but it has become too staled by familiarity to have any effect. Mr. AVebb seems to think that tho young manhood of New Zealand would be better employed in the production of foodstuffs for tho use of our armies than in fighting our enemies. He laid much stress on this brilliant idea. He holds that New Zealand is already doing more than its share as regards tho supply of men. It would certainly bo much safer and more profitable for us to devote our energies to the supply of foodstuffs, and to let our fellow-countrymen in Britain and other parts of tho Empire do the actual fighting. Let others shed their blood in order to keep the Hun from our doors, while we rake in the dollars. This would be a safe policy, but no one could call it heroic. It is undoubtedly of the utmost importance that the armies and populations of the Empire and its Allies should be properly led, but it is equally nccessary to outmatch the enemy on tho battlefield. If needs be a good deal of the farming work could be done by boys and the older men, and even by women, in order that the men of military age might go to the front. What other countries can do we can do. In France the rural industries are being carried on very largely by women, and .a cable message which we publish in anothor part of this issue tells us that in England there has been a great rush of women applicants for work in connection with the harvest. School teachers and girl students from Girton and Ncwnham Colleges aro giving their assistance. The womenfolk of Britain and France realise that a great war like that in which wo aro now engaged cannot be won without great sacrifices. In New Zealand wo have up to the present fortunately been able to keep our'export trade going without resorting, in any great measure, to female labour. ' But if the war continues much longer we may have to call upon' our womenfolk to follow the example set by the women of France and Britain. The women of New Zealand are willing and anxious to do all that may be required of them. It would bo a disgrace to this Dominion if we should fail to meet our military obligations to the Empire by keeping back ablebodied men to do work which is now being done by women in other belligerent countries. Tho caso. against tho Bill must be weak indeed when it has to be supported by such a pitifully far-fetched plea as this "foodstuff" argument, as presented by the member for Grey. Yet reasonable care will have to be taken to prevent our essential industries from boing paralysed. It will bo the duty of the Board of Appeal to give full consideration to industrial needs in

dealing with applications for exemption. Several of the speakers .yesterday laid justifiable emphasis on this point. The smooth-working of the compulsory recruiting scheme will depend largely upon the constitution of tho board. The civilian element mjjst be given adequate representation, so that due consideration may bo given to the industrial as well as the military point of view. Another question that will have to receive attention is the position of the 20,000 aliens in New Zealand. It is unfair that they should be permitted to enjoy all the benefits of victory without sharing the sacrifices which are being made uy tho rest of the community. The whole Bill is sure to receive very careful consideration in Committee. It will be tho duty of the Government to give sympathetic attention to every reasonable suggestion. The principles of the Bill are sound, and are accepted by all, with tho exception of a small group of irreconcilables. Fair criticism of its details can result in nothing, but good. Ministers and members should work loyally together, with the common purpoEo of ■making the Bill a thoroughly sound and effective measure.