THE Pukekohe & Waiuku Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1916. TO ARMS!

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 231, 1 December 1916, Page 2

THE Pukekohe & Waiuku Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1916. TO ARMS!

'We nothing extenuate, nor let down auaht in malice

— Although up to the present the Auckland Mili'ary District, of which the greater part of the Lower Waikato is a unit, has escaped the ballot through voluntary enlistments sufficing for requirements, the prospects are that the enforcement of the compulsion clause of the Military Service Act cannot long be delayed It would be idle to seny that mauy cases of hardship will result, and that serious loss will be entailed on numerous young men who are just starting out in life. These deserve all the sympathy and assistance which those who remain at home can afford them. We believe that the vast majority of these men would have gone forward ere this could they have seen their way clear to do so without prejudicing all their prospects, aud now that the call is likely to come clearly and unmistakeably they will gladly take their places in the ranks, where they will acquit themselves as gallantly as have those who went before. The ballot has brought the war and the serious nature of the struggle we are engaged ih very near home to each one of us, and should do much towards making those who remain at home realise' their responsibilities towards those who go forth In the early days of the war it was not uncommon for young men who had taken up land to leave their holdings without making any arrangements in regard thereto, in order to answer the call of country. While we honour these men for their spontaneous action, it cannot be gainsaid that the conduct savours somewhat of that irresponsible spirit which is not a characteristic of a perfect citizen. It is the type of men who realise what they are leaving who feel the wrench most, and as they realise what home and country means in its fullest sense they will be all the more determined to preserve them intact. The people of the Dominion having, by their representatives, decreed that the3e men must go forth inferentially undertake that their interests shall not be unnecessaiily sacrificed, snd upon those who remain at home will therefore devolve the duty of " keeping the home fires burning." This will become increasingly difficult as each succeeding draft is called up, and it can only be done by everyone undertaking to do a little more than has been the case hitherto. If anything has to be sacrified it must be the non-essential?, and the pruninghook will probably have to be applied ruthlessly to the trimmings and luxuries which up to the present we have continued to enjoy. We are gradually being forced to recognise the meaning of war. The lesson is a hard and bitter one, but it has to be learned, and until we master it and thereby get back to some of the tenets and practices of our old faith we shall have to tread the wine-press. It is a hopeful sign that this truth is beginning to receive recognition in unexpected quarters, and that a spirit of seriousness is abroad which was not formerly detectable. This is a happy augury.