TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 234, 15 September 1939, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR

CALL FOR SERVICE Sit,—-From conversations with ..several of those young men who have recently enlisted, or are eligible for enlistment, it, appears to be very obvious that very few of these really huicter,stand the reason, why they have been asked to oiler their AA’hen asked, the must frequent answer given was “the rest are'doing it,” while such answers ay “we’ll have a lot of Jun,” ami “I want to kill the Huns.” were also advanced. In a civilisation that boasts of some advance towards enlightenment, such replies are the reverse to those which, it might he reasonably be expected when such a remedy as war is invoked. To young men who enlist with those views in mind, there is bound to bo ■disillusion, and disappointment. SOchicnlly there can lie no justification lor such a imply as “L want to IHII theHints.” and in- normal times such a statement would) definitely relegate the speaker to a low standard ot intelligence. and possibly would result in his being .called a rabid and dangerous maniac with homicidal intentions.

This war has net been entered into lightly. Any person who does not realise that fact is very much wanting in intelligence. Now that the .initial step has been taken, it remains for all of lis who are . a bio, to support the eausM to the last man. Hut it is necessary for the successful conduct of the war. anil for strength to lie added l u the purpose of each participant, that all should realise that tins war is not one of racial hatred against the Germans, but a war for the purpose

<>!' eradicating a pernicious, pagan, t V i rroneous idea which lias been loistcd upon ..tile shoulders of the Germans in the Jarb of a philosophy. Nazi-ism is no more a philosophy than a fowl is a fish. It is based upon error, and is inherently disproved. It is vital that this idea should be exter tuna tod, and it should be the dominant thought in the minds of all, that until this idea is stamped out. the safety of posterity is imperilled. It is inevitable ‘ i ven necessary—that German people will l.i- killed, even if it means that all between the ages of 18 and 40 should he killed. Hut until the fallacious and iniquitous doctrine of Hitler is clearly obliterated, there must not be any lettin _• up in this war. if these who enlist would realise that tiiis war is not going to be jo} ride.” and that their.'purpose is one ‘ in determined effort not to kill needlessly, hut to defeat the idea <1 Nazism. which, like a noxious tiling, if permitted to grow would embrace us all. then there could he no disappointments and our intensity of purpose would lie many times increased. I he,\ will be vailed upon to play a soldier s part, and it may lie necessary lor them to kill purpose! ally and Hum. but as long as the turn ronc.-pln n cl the course of war remains with the; i their will be no loitering, an i then cenvii nros will remain unsulli ■ !. hot us be dear in the mu•: r, ' , r. it roust always be the advance!!.ori. oi » i .‘ightcnmeiit and civilisa urn that ns on. never the ruthless and Viidon destruction n i. leilow cical lii'es. If we umi.w rano that, then we are a-si'.” '.l e, vu-imy in a jll> t cause. ll'om w!i ieh vie will i ue\ it";i., 1 \ emerge with honour. Midi.! I I’LK.