Children and warfare

Press, 13 March 1985, Page 16

Children and warfare

Sir,—This morning you show a young scout cub behind a machinegun, being tutored by a soldier. My initial response is shock and dismay that with all the training of our children from babyhood emphasising the sanctity of life and the eminence of reason and humanity, the Army and the Scout movement should be so insensitive as to seem to promote the belief that somehow it is all right to take another’s life. On reflection, I wonder if, for the sake of balance, both organisations would study and promote to our cubs and brownies the exciting episode in our own history when 200 children sat down, blocking the path of a menacing and fully-armed column of soldiers and chanted songs while declining to give way. I refer to the children of Parihaka, Taranaki, back in 1881 — a well-documented story. — Yours, etc.,

JACK ROGERS. March 11, 1985.

Sir,—lt was a shock to realise that Army recruiting begins with eight-year-old cubs as evidenced in the photograph in “The Press” of March 11. The bright-eyed young man is obviously enjoying his introduction to the gentle art of killing his fellow human beings with a machine-gun. I find this very saddening when I realise that eight year olds could equally well be encouraged to develop a respect for human life. The vast majority of people proclaim a desire for peace but many seem willing to allow their children to be entertained in this way. There is little hope of peace breaking out while respectable bodies such as the Boy Scouts Association help to ensure a ready supply of cannon fodder.— Yours, etc., PETER STOCKER. March 11, 1985.