The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916. THE MORE MEN QUESTION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 2, 4 January 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916. THE MORE MEN QUESTION.

(‘With which is incorporated The Tat bape Post and Waimarino News.)

The probability of any serious political crisis *or upheaval occurring in Great Britain in consequence of the principle of compulsory military service being adopted by the Cabinet ,is looming less largely as the position of the nation is better understood. Lord Derbyj’s recruiting l mission was so successful as to be characterised as miraculous, so far as numbers enlisting went, but' it was found when the attestations were analysed that those who Should have enrolled'—

young, single men —had been shirking responsibilities to an almost alarming extent. When the national register was made, Mr. Asquith pledged the Government not to call upon married men until those that were single had been enrolled. Bachelors were given an opportunity by the adoption of Lord Derby’s scheme to enroll honoui’ably but they failed to respond; and even now before the date on which compulsion is to operate, these young men are to have a period in which to enlist as volunteers. The compulsory Service Bill is expected to be bitterly opposed by some sections of

the House of Commons, not because there is any desire to stop men joining the forces, but because it is believed that the voluntary system is doing all that is necessary. It is urged that me*n are coming forward now much faster than they can be (equipped and trained, but as men aie urgently needed, equipment and training are something that is much more easily attainable, apparently, than the men. Training cannot be pushed forward until the men are available; it is something that cannot be held in large stock. The feeling throughout Britain that Lord Derby’s scheme failed to gather the number required is prevalent, and even several labour leaders now admit the reasonableness of the attitude Mr. Lloyd George has firmly taken in persisting that all unmarried men should be conscripted in accordance with the pledge given by the Prime Minister while young men still had the opportunity to enrol voluntarily. Because thousands of young men have not realised their duty seems altogether an insufficient cause for throw* ing the country into the convulsions of a general election. An appeal to the people throws the whole business of a nation out of gear to an exasperating degree even in times of peace, but to force on a general election because a few thousands of men have not answered the call of duty is like using a steam hammer for nut-cracking. The number of battlefields have increased, and as men cannot be spared from the old ones in France and Flanders, further enlistments are a necessity the Empire has to face or become subservient to Germany. Men, and still more men are wanted at Salonika; a pressing need for men has arisen in Egypt, and our forces are altogether too inadequate for the campaign in Mesopotamia. If men would only come forward in sufficient numbers the Empire would be free from war before another Christmas, but to continue as at present is simply draining the life-blood of our manhood with only problematical hopes of ultimate victory such as will insure customary freedom. It is felt that the Compulsory Service-Bill, although desperately opposed by a minority in parliament will become law, if only for the currency of the present will be profitable to at once consider the position in New Zealand. Canada is increasing her army up to half-a-million; Australia has decided upon sending forward a greater number of men, and this Dominion has done something similar. While there seems to be no great difficulty in gettng men to voluntarily come forward in Canade we are experiencing trouble in Australia and in our own land, which calls for a revision of systems at present in use. A national register has disclosed that many thousands have refused to do anything in this war; they are content to spill their brothers’ blood while they live in comfort and, perhaps, luxury, for let it h e known that it is not the worker, but the rich who are largely shirking their duty. People should at all times strenuously guard their liberty, but it i s as well to realise at once that occasions to arise when it is necessary to surrender our liberty temporarily so that that it may ultimately be made secure and permanent, and we are poor things, anyway, if we are not men enough to fight for our liberty. It does not speak well for the virility of a people to have to be importuned and at last forced to .fight for their country and the sanctity of their homes. Time, valuable time, is being lost, lives are being dribbled away because of callousness, . greed or fear; the consummation of victory is being set back and rendered more uncertain of attainment, while those who should rusk into the fighting line are being coaxed and wheedled to act in a manly fashion. Now is the time for New Zealand to cease this costly begging, and to bring . the Dominion’s laws into line with what is being done in the Old 1 Homeland. More men now means less lives sacrificed and 'a speedier ending to the conflict. Wliy not call them up, compulsorily if necessary?