LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2893, 4 October 1916, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE RECRUITING AGE LIMIT I , —— l Sir, —I notice that there have been' I letters in the papers recently suggest-., • iug a reduction in tho ago limit. 1 canthmk of no better argument than a, statement of facts. 1 am six.feet tall in my socks, weigh something approaching thirteen stone. I. liavb led a strongly" athletic life, and have stood tho strain of rowing and football without'injury. But —I am'nineteen. Now, sir, am I not more able to stand hardships - than a mail of twenty who has only - just managed to pass the doctor? I know that had my conscience allowed me, I could have passed as twenty before any doctor. But why should this, be iicccssary? I would suggest that.' recruits between the ages of eighteen ■ and twenty be specially examined; and if considered fit be allowed to go for-' ward. They want to go;.tliey would. / fight well. I have not" heard of.ono-' ■ case of an under-ago man giving way. Everybody knows that many havo gone. ; At present the only way we can serve our country is to enlist for home service. That is, we must serve with men medically unfit, and fight tho Huns, with a pen iijstead of a rifle. As things are t going now, those who have to wait a , year or more before going into trainj ing are not '.going to see much of the t fighting.—l am, etc., [. A COMPULSORY COLD-FOOT.