THE MILITARY SYSTEM.
(To the Editor Wairarapa Age.)
Sir, —In your issue of August 9th was a letter by the Rev l)r John Clifford, 011 compulsory military training in -New Zealand." To my idea, the reverend gentleman is not of a patriotic turn of mind, and T wonder what position ho would take up if England was invaded. It is a. slur on New Zealand to suggest her leading the world back to paganism and barbarism.
We are part of the greatest Empire that the world has over known ; our forefathers fought for this, and 1 consider it the duty of every ablebodied man to sacrifice a little in order to help protect the land that has cost so much. Apart from the militarism spirit the discipline he would have to go through is needed by the Now Zealand youth, whose environments are so different to Homo, and it is just the thing to give him selfreliance and energy. He says the story of the P.lt. (1 suppose lie mean.s ' Passive Resisters, or Passive Regicides) stirs his soul. That is a pity, isn't it? What construction would ho put on the words of Christ, "If ye had known what hour the thief should come, would ye not watch?" God has given us the position which we hold as leaders of the world, and it is our bounden duty to maintain the same; but there are always some drones in the hive, always some hangers-on, P.R.'s. shirkers on a plea of conscience, ;and I suppose there always will be. Military training, I take it, sir, is not carried on in th:s country to entice enemies into conflict, and for the weathy and aggressive to profit, as our friend 'assumes; it is, unquestionably the act of preparedness. We cannot expect God to help us guard our shores if we resort to idleness, and rely on our name as a nation to protect us. We have to do our part in this great campaign, and speaking for myself, I'm quite willing to lay down my life in helping to defend the country of freedom and liberty to which I belong, and in saying this I think ' 1 am voicing the opinion of every loyal and patriotic New Zealander. Trusting I am not encroaching too faton your valuable space, and thanking you in anticipation —T etc., H.H. CURRY. Ekotaliur.iK August 9th.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10691, 10 August 1912, Page 7
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397THE MILITARY SYSTEM. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10691, 10 August 1912, Page 7
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