The Bay of plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays Fridays. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16th, 1939. THE SINEWS OF WAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 75, 16 October 1939, Page 4

The Bay of plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays Fridays. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16th, 1939. THE SINEWS OF WAR

NOT every person who would wish to do so, can enlist for war service. There: are duties and responsibitit'ies which have to be faced by all men, and those who have homes to support and family responsibilities to meet are performing a service of national importance which should not be lost right of. Just at this juncture when the nation's call to arms is being- widely answered it may perhaps not be called policy to discuss such topics as we now introduce, but as a paper with no political, religeous or sectional ties whatsoever, and only the service of the community 'm mind we have no hesitation in discussing this pressing- subject. The matter has been brought more forcibly to mind by the recent enlistment of a man such as our own respected member of Parliament. Far be it from us to seek to divert any person from doing his duty as he sees it, or following the dictates of his own conscience. The time may come when every man capable of bearing' arms will be needed, and needed urgently, but the question is—has that time arrived. The call is not so much for the fighting men (the rank and file) but for the specialist: aviators, telegraphers, engineers, mechanics, There has been no immediate appeal for the armed forces of' the Dominion as yet—Canada for instance announces that no Canadian fighting men will be sent abroad before next April. The demand is not urgent, and furthermore there must .be those to maintain the sinews of war at home. The Home Front is just as important as the firing line itself, though the element of danger be not as great. There is a certain restlessness that grips every person of military age when he sees his mates, his relatives, his friends enlisting and though married, with perhaps a family to think of—is he doing his duty by staying at home? Should he be there with the others doing his bit? These are subjects few desire to discuss. Often the example of married men throwing, everything aside in order to do their duty by King and Country makes others wonder if they should not follow suit, with the haunting idea behind it that they may be looked upon as slackers in not doing so. Let us examine the position. We live in an age when men desire to face facts, we are therefore advanced enough to take a jolt or two. In answer to the call for volunteers there has been approximately a response from 8,000 men. The percentage of married men in the special force is small, approximately 8 per cent., but many of these have family responsibilities. These men are to be admired for their courage and self sacrifice, but when Government statistics show that there are 110,000 young single men of military age living in this country—the majority in the towns —then arises the query, how long will be the drain on married men before those without responsibilities at all face up to the position. From an economic point of view the inclusion of familied men in the ranks is not sound. From a sentimental point of view it is utterly wrong, but there are few married men who when the call comes as a matter of urgency, would not fall willingly in line and do their bit. Perhaps this is a matter solvable by conscription, perhaps it will adjust itself, but the fact remains, someone must be left at home. The home fires must be kept burnand the sinews of war must be kept strong and heartening. There is a duty for all, and the average man whether married or not will not shrink from it when it becomes inevitable, but the choice of duty is governed by circumstances and a reasonable attitude towards realities. The present war has commenced without the usual beating of drums, and waving of flags, there is little blind patriotism, white feather distributing, anonymous letter writing. National developments axe still shaping themselves. Surely there is still time for men with famiies, or in responsible positions, to quietly and rationally weigh things up before rushing Into the fighting ranks of a force, which though held in readiness, knows not as yet wether it will be required for service other than that of home defence.