YOUTHS OF NINETEEN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3170, 22 August 1917, Page 6

YOUTHS OF NINETEEN

CONFLICTING STATEMENTS WAS THERE "A LEAKAGE!" MR. MASSEY MAKES A STATEMENT. Contradictory statements, mo=t of them unofficial, have been wade in recent weeks as to the intention of the Government regarding tho calling up of youths of nineteen years of ago for military sorviee. A question in tile House of licpresentatives yesterday showed that it is not surprising that reports were contradictory. Mr. P. C'. Webb asked the Prime Minister which of two statements was correct. Ono was a communication dated August 15, to tho secretary of the Flay.mill Workers' llftjon, regarding the calling up of youths of nineteen years 01 age, from the Prime Minister, iu which La wrote:— I beg to inform you that the matter lias not been considered by Cabinet. The other communication, of the fame date, was signed "J. Allen, Minister uf Defence," and ran: I am in receipt of yours of 18th inst., and lvavo to say that no proposal lias been brought before Varliameut to reduce the ago at whicli young, men are to be called up for service from twenty to nineteen years. It is quite true the Government has had the matter under consideration, but no definite conclusion has been arrived at. You may rest assured that before anything is done the graved consideration will be given to tho subject. I might remind you that in all other parts of the Empire the age at which boys, aro called up for service is eighteen years, whereas in New Zealand it is twenty years. The Primo Minister, replying, said: "Apparently the two statements aro conflicting, but in reality they are not so. The matter was not considered officially by Cabinet. It was mentioned at a Cabinet meeting, and some members of tho Cabinet expressed opinions as to wliat they thought should be done iu regard to'youths of nineteen years." Mr. Witty: Was tho Bill drafted? Mr. Massey. Not that I know of. Mr. Payne: Not officially drafted? Mr. M'Combs: Ask the Defence Minister. There was a good deal of jeering laughter from theso interjectors and others, and one other member said: "Come on. face it." Mr. Massey (continuing): Well, we havo heard a good deal about leakages from the Printing Office. I should bo very glad to know from the honourable member where he got this information. Mr. Witty: It didn't como from the Printim Office. Mr. Massey: .Tust let mo explain my position on this question, and I will lake,tbo responsibility for mv own opinion. Thero are many youths of nineteen in this country who aro just as good men as thev over will bo, and they a.re anxious to go to the front. If a man of nineteen years old is physically fit. and his parents do not object to his going, I think there is no reason why he should not go. , Mr. Poland: They 'have gone in hundreds, Mr. Massey: Of course: I know that. Tnere aro men in this House who were as good men at nineteen years as they are now. Mr. Payne: I should hope so. Mr. Poland: They aro no good for thb front, though. Mr. Massey: I think tho honourable member would do very well for the front. Mr. Poland: Oh, yes. I would do all right. Mv ~oS n, t. T

Mr. Massey.: I mako this statement of what my opinions are on this question. If tho country likes to find fault with my opinion, it will be for tho country to do it.