MERE FUTILITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 225, 22 September 1924, Page 4

MERE FUTILITY.

Tho "New Zealand Herald" this morning in an editorial comment on naval recruiting speaks of "extraordinary views" expressed by Mr. Wilford when condemning the present system, and goes on to remark that it Is even "more extraordinary that they have found a measure of support." The writer quotes one sentence from an article which appeared in our columns on Saturday to tho effect that "healthy

young New Zealanders are better employed in producing wealth to provide for an adequate system of defence for this potentially rich but sparsely populated country." But the "Herald" has not the common courtesy to acknowledge the source of the quotation that it bases its criticism on. It uses tho sentence as a text to found a charge that the view that New Zealand should not actively recruit within its borders naval ratings is sordid, and on a par with the arguments used by the individual during tho war to justify abstention from voluntary service. As might be expected, the criticism ignores our statement that quite apart from this expensive farce, which is costing the country at least £50,000 per annum, there exists no obstacle in the way of young New Zealanders who are so inclined joining the Navy. The- personnel of the Navy wa3 very drastically reduced after the war, and there are not enough openings in the service for those desirous of joining up in Great Britain, where the greatest problem of the Government is to deal with tho vast army of tho unemployed. Britain has a steady surplus of population to provide for; this country's most urgent need is immigration and more immigration of a youtig and virile type to develop and hold our heritage as a part of the Empire. To squander money on au unsound scheme is no service to our Commonwealth; every pound Bpcnt on Empire defence should return a full pound in value. We stated on Saturday that if the Government were honest it would admit that the recruiting schema has failed and should be abolished, but that we are cursed with an Administration that has always declined to face unpleasant facts. The same criticism applies with equal force to many of tho Government's Press supporters and apologists.