MILITARY CONSCRIPTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24405, 17 September 1940, Page 4

MILITARY CONSCRIPTION

SO THE EDITOR

Sir—l heartily agree with “Volunteer" (Clydevale) in what he said about Mr Semple classing our voluntary enlisted men as conscripts, as, to my way of thinking, that is an in* suit to our brave sons. I certainly read with disgust that Mr Semple said it is' not desired to make any distinction between those who enlisted and those selected by ballot. What an insult to the boys who are fighting and those on the seas! Rather than be conscripted my son volunteered three times before he was passed as fit. In the last war I had two brothers .enlisted before conscription came into force. Rather than be conscripted they both left their farms and went to the war and one came back. I was medically unfit but secured employment on home service in Dunedin, and hundreds did the same.—l am, etc., Oamaru. Sept. 14. Disgusted. TO THE EDITOR Sir—l have been waiting for some old Digger to take up the challenge of our great Mr Semple in all his rantings of conscription, etc. What a change since 1914-1918 in some of our so-called leaders! If only we had a man of Mr Churchill’s past history to give us the lead we old chaps would not mind being told what to do. I would like to put one case in point. An old Digger friend of mine, being single and 45 years old. was very upset in real Digger fashion when he received his papers the othqr day. making him a conscript. This man had four years 225 days’ service in the last war, and I can appreciate his feelings on being called up by C.O. s. etc. Mr Semple says he will make no difference between the volunteer ana the conscript by giving the man who volunteered a “ star ” at his name. Can Mr Semple then explain why the army paybooks have it printed in them'— I am. etc., No - Woodhaugh, Sept. 14.