COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 17 February 1913, Page 4

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

The Methodist Conference last week very wisely rejected a resolution in opposition to the compulsory system of military training. The mover of the resolution urged that the system was, a. 'reflection upon the patriotism of the people. Such a contention is, of course, manifestly absurd. As in the case of education', compulsion was brought about through the indifference of the minority. The patriotic; young men, who ar© anxious t-o serve their country, do not regard the compulsory clauses of the Act as irksome. It is these who have not a full appreciation of the duty they owe to the Crown, those who are lacking in patriotism, who cry out against compulsory service. Apart from this fact, however, there is the consideration that the change- was brought about hy the will of the people, and it is too late now- to traverse the principle of the new -system. Had there been a general feeling that compulsion was inimical to the best interests of the country, this would surely have manifested itself when tho measure was before Parliament. It is unfortunate that, at this stage, a religions body should add to the troubles of organisation hv even discussing a proposition which will fire the enthusiasm of the few shirket's and resistors who have been making a noise throughout the Dominion.