COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 158, 4 July 1916, Page 8

COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE.

! do the Editor.) j Sir—l suppose by this time with few exceptions everybody is reconciled to the ! Military Service Bill. It is a bill that ' should have been introduced long a<jo. i Wo have seen young lads ousted out'of i their jobs, and advertisements calling for ineligibles. which is the worst kind of compulsion—starve or enlist. Of course this kind of compulsion did not affect the wealthy class. There is reason to believe that the present bill will equalise matters somewhat. Soon after the present war broke out there was a military organisation formed for home 'defence, viz., National Reserve. While our Navy keeps watch I don't think the National Reserve will be called upon. Euf why not use the reserve as a proliminiiy training ground for men liable to be called up under the M.S. Bill? It would make the task of the drill instructor much easier when the men went into camp, as well as putting the Reserve to some use. The branch of the Reserve to which I have the honour to bo attached, the Field Engineers, is probably the best equipped company in the Auckland District Reserve, thanks to tho generosity of our local merchants. Wo have all the material necessary for bridge building, pontooning, rafts, etc.. as well as signalling apparatus and miniature rifle range. The company meets on Wednesday nights at 7.45 in Victoria Park enclosure, when we would gladly welcome any new recruits or men waiting to be called up for this arm of the service.— I am, etc., W. C. JENKINS.