COMPULSORY DOMESTIC SERVICE
Sir,-R.M. accuses me -of inconsistency because in dealing with the subject of domestic help for mothers I failed to take up the cudgels on behalf of the lads to be trained compulsorily in the military arts, and asks if I would object to such training. In fact, I did write two pages about just that, thenthinking of space-conserving editorsI firmly blue pencilled the lot as irrelevant. The two suggested acts of compulsion (domestic and military) are as far apart as the poles, Military service, much as we may object to it theoretically, is a practical and vital necessity in this chaotic world and the necessity for compulsion, together with its wisdom in a given case, must be the test of its virtue. Compulsion is not always wrong. The education of our children is compulsory, yet who finds fault with that? Certainly my sons will do their share of training, but at the same time I trust that their home teaching will show them that war is a disgrace to our so-called civilisation, bringing no true moral honour to either participant. If they learn to think honestly, the meaning of pacifism will become a life-long fight
against war, even when necessity causes them to carry arms against an aggressor. If every new batch of schoolboy recruits could have this meaning made clear to them even as they learn to "slope arms," would they not be less. inclined to treat war as a glorious adventure, and instead learn a more responsible outlook to world affairs? If I had my way the Oscar Natzkes would be exempt, but I doubt if they would accept exemption, as I believe that the finer a man’s perceptions are, the higher his sense of values will be. Compulsory domestic training for girls is not a grim necessity. The shortage will be overcome by the many ways which sensible women, such as Caroline Webb, advocate -- domestic cleaning compenies, etc.-and also by the gradual dying of silly snobbery which sways young girls who otherwise would take up housework as an interesting career. The point is, that we are still free to leave them free to make their choice. R.M. concludes with "Equality of the sexes if you like. .. ." This catch phrase is always a trouble-maker, and means nothing unless used specifically. In this case it is inapplicable.
L.L.
H.
(Heriot).
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19470613.2.14.2
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 416, 13 June 1947, Page 5
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394COMPULSORY DOMESTIC SERVICE New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 416, 13 June 1947, Page 5
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