THE BOYCOTT OF YOUTH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9155, 1 June 1915, Page 8

THE BOYCOTT OF YOUTH.

To iliJi EOITOH ',' GUAHPIAN."

Sir,—Kindly- allow me Space in'your valuable paper to enter my protest against the action of the military authorities in refusing to accept for active service a very large number of pliysicaiiy fin, but under-aged young men. These havo shown that they are ready to take a share of the actual burden of military service and training'for th* welfare of those who are hot in a position .to do this. Many of Vlvese rejects'have-been subject to the taunts and criticisms of strangers and even casual acquaintances, and in their endeavours to show they are not cowards and shirkers have met with this regrettable treatment; but, on being rofu&ed the honour, have gone back to their ordinary path of life, disappointed, aad to receive further annoyance from others not in possession of the facts. Many appear older than they really are, and of. course this is the result.

Again, tfc-f "white .feather" campaign, which is not; unknown even in our own town/should be suppressed by all possible ! means available. For this r tneans of rousing our young men to a sense of their responsibilities., acts very much tho reverse- of the way it is intended to, although-1 admit there are many in New Zealand who, deserve such, treatment, but to know exactly who and where they: are is the one'difficulty, to overcome. We have simply to rely on thoir sens-!? of honour and duty to prompt th?m to come forward and answer thf.- call for men. For many may be led, but rot driven, and we should' always ■spurn any unjust way of in-: flnemriiio;our young men.

Mavvy uyvn who' enlist.and are over the ag>\ sjiv 20, ha>;e had little or tio experiera^ and training, whereas youths who :;re fii present betw-f•en the .-iiges nf 18 and. 20 hav.e had almost continual trainrnp . j during the past- fire; years, and latterly have been studying and practising very much advanced work, both' fit the 1 evening'parades and nfc the various camps. Considering tin's, they rtre well-informed' in the piincipies of discipline, and are already powtv^-cd of a very fair know\p'\<s? of military tactics, which have not to be -grounded into them on arri-\-a\ Rh TreiiVham. Their powers of endurance can bfs much more easily developed in a growing;, person, and they sn-e ret.tins older all-the time, and by the thue tliey arc called to Trentham nad ihoir training, sea voyaffe, sojourn in E.cvpt, arid eventual landing in the fir in « Inns ix. accomplished satisf actor-1 ilr, at leftß'f they would be six months oldor -and of greater and finer generally. In writhig the foregoing I aan expressing the feelings of a' great many; who are anxious to do Some of the.actual nglitin.2. and who -are not anxious to remain till-it is nil over and to suffer the mortification of seeing. the welcome of the returned fortunate ones beeaiise through no fault of their owiv thet were unable to go. Trusting the/ Defence Office will see its way to clear, remove the boycott on the patriotic youth of New Zealaind., ONE OF THE BOYCOTTED ONES. May 31, 1915.