YOUTH AND DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 10

YOUTH AND DEFENCE.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. (To the Editor.) "Ammunition Section Sergeant" is obvioaelv (like so many of his generation and calibreV obsessed with the idea that all defence is for the support of Imperialist aims. Had he re»d my letter with lens prejudice and more understanding, he would have seen that it dealt with the defence of Xew Zealand, -which happens to ibe the question to which, ostensibly all the prevailing enthusiasm is being locally directed. We are not at present (that is to say, not openly) being asked to face the question of Empire defence, stress bein" , hift on the urgency of the Dominion's dally in view of Mr. Xeville Chambe'rlaui's recent statement that we can expect no help from Britain. Your correspondent places himself out of bounds by thus jumping to an unwarranted conclusion. His contention that conscription can be accomplished by any such measure as the burden laid on the whole body of British taxpayer?, "which, of course, comprises every man. woman and child in the United Kingdom, forms just another example of that confusion of thought for which the professional soldier is notorious. This fireeating warrior who would have us youths who have not yet attained the priceless boon of the franchise join the ranks of those about to die for the Empire's sake sees fit to discredit my perfectly sincere expression of willingness to defend my country and what I have beei» taught it stands for. May I euggest that his army training lias rendered him impervious to sincerity? I can assure him that the large body of young Xew Zealanders who share my opinions, will prove their mettle when defence conditions are made more equitable. We want a democratic army to defend democracy wherever it is beincr assailed. The sooner the authorities and all reeruithv enthusiasts wake up to this fact the better for all concerned. They are dealing with a matter on which youth must have a say. Such bitter opposition as that expressed by "Ammunition Section Sergeant" and the general tendency to muzzle youth on this vital question makes u& more than ever/ WILLING BUT WARY. Personally, T question the sincerity of anyone who expresses concern about our defences and at the same time opposes compulsory (and universal) military training, which is the yerv essence of democracy and defence. I remember well what a storm of criticism and alarm there was in conservative circles, when it first appeared on the programme of the Australian Labour party years ago. How times have changed—and men! But all that is by the way; I have a suggestion to make—compile a roll of all men living in Xew Zealand who have served their time under the national training scheme and let them vote on it, for or against. It ie many years since the scheme was dropped, so all those who served under it have reached an age that should give added weight to their views. In conclusion, I wotld recommend youth to weigh well the worde of Te Kooti's old scout, "Thanks to my Atua, I came safely through those troubloue years; also I was a straight ehot with my rifle." OLD TJ2T.