FORCE FOR JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24800, 14 February 1946, Page 6

FORCE FOR JAPAN

Sir, —Your leading articles showing the need for the early relief of the occupation force for Japan should prove helpful in recruiting volunteers. It is to be regretted that the ActingPrime Minister in his statement emphasised that the men of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Reinforcements had seen “little or no actual fighting,” whereas some of the 13th went through very tough fighting, and, of course, the officers and key personnel retained in the force have seen any amount and under the severest conditions.

The majority are young men who went into the Army from school and are now 22 or 23 years of age, with little or no experience in their future civilian trade or occupation. If it is stressed that volunteers are required to relieve them, I think the best type of volunteers will apply quickly and enable these young fellows to return. It is no use any of us saying, “Why not conscript others to go abroad?” The Government, rightly or wrongly, has decided otherwise; and the best type of volunteers will come forward, and in numbers, if the facts are known.—Yours, etc., VOLUNTEER. February 8, 1948.