LOWERING THE MILITARY AGE

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1917, Page 5

LOWERING THE MILITARY AGE

OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL,

By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.

Wellington, Last Night. The decision of the Government concerning the suggested lowering of the military ago to nineteen years will Jjc known wh«n tho Expeditionary Force Bill is introduced, probably about the end of next week. The Bill has already been before Cabinet twice, but 'it eontains many matters requiring attention, and the finishing lou> lies have not' yet been given. It is possible the proposal t.o take boys of nineteen years into training camps will be dropped, at anyrate until some of the classes in thp Second Division have been taken.

Military opinion, it is understood, is in favor of lowering the age, on. the ground that young men up to 25 years of age respond most readily to military training. OCew Zealand is stated to be the only belligerent country in which the military age is higher than 18 years at the present time, but, on the other hand, all other countries where conscription is in force have taken young married! men. " °

Communications .that are reaching Ministers and member.? of Parliament in" dicate that a strong body of opinion in the Dominion is opposed to the enlistment of nineteen-year-olds at the present stage of the war, ,

A PETONE PROTEST. By Teiegraph—PreßS Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Petoue Borough Council to-night passed a unanimous resolution protesting against the age limit, under the Military Service Act, being reduced to nineteen.

STRONG SECOND DIVISION PROTEST. ( Wellington, Last Night. The central executive of the Federated Second Division Leagues passed the following resolution: "This meeting, speaking in the name of the Federated Second Division Leagues of New Zealand, records its emphatic protest against the rumored intention of the Government to lower the age of conscription to nineteen years, and expresses its strong disapproval of any impression being allowed to go forth that New Zealand has had to fall back on the young lads of the country, in order to carry on its part in the war, as such would be • absolutely contrary to fact, and would be a deplorable; indication of official misjudgment, and further, the league calls upon the Government to turn a deaf ear to all counsels' of timidity inspired by financial interests, and to legislate, without further delay, jfor adequate, prqvision for the dependents of soldiers, so that Second Division men may immediately set about preparing for active service.