DEFENCE FORCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 217, 14 September 1939, Page 6

DEFENCE FORCES.

EQUALITY OF SERVICE.

(To the E<Tit*Mv)

I find aniottr many ot my friend* military ago a surprising readiness to be coo-, scripted but considerable hesitancy in volun-t teering for possible service abroad, for the following reason, in which I feel tbere is much sense: In an economic structure of tha character of Xew Zealand the chief sacrifice which weighs on the mind of the volunteer is. uot the possibility of death or injury ia a good cause abroad. Still greater magnanimity of spirit is required before he can entrust his future civil life to the care of thou» remaining in Xew Zealand, a group necessarily, in a voluntary system, including (among others) most of the self-seekers. If there is to be conscription, however, it must be thorough and embrace the whole of tha national economy. I think that conscription could be instituted on a bask which worn Id allow long periods of leave lor soldiers serving abroad. Xew Zealand would still make a. far more effective and internally equitable contribution to civilisation than it is likely to do by allowing its finest unselfish spirits to make" all the sacrifice. While I am aware of strong arguments in favour of the voluntary system. I repeat that I find far less hostility to the idea of thorough conscription of economic and human resources than I had previously expected. I take this to be a reco-nition of the issues which arc at ~take. FREDERICK G. BEER.

As. a volunteer in the Main Body T -was thrill m 1 when passing Rutland Street to see fucli a fine body of young men waiting to offer their services for King and Country. Those accepted"will, as -pointed out by "Sonime, 1918." represent the flower of our youth, and will live up to the traditions we handed down. However, the position is that the freedom of every Britisher is threatened, and it is up to every one of us to face up to the position. In a time like this were i<< no room for the shirker or conscientious objector. The only thin? is to conscript the whole country. Essential industries must 'be carried on, but even in these industries certain young men can he released and replaced by older men or women. The burden should not fall on the willing volunteer, 'but be shared by all. MAIN" BODY.