COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 232, 24 June 1908, Page 6

COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE.

Naturally hostile to restraint of all kinds, although amenable enough to discipline when occasion demands, men of the Anglo-Saxon race have always regarded conscription for national defence with the utmost repugnance. It has been held to be tyrannical, cruel, and unjust in its operation in those countries where it is and it is still a moot question among military exports whether or no it turns out as effective a fighting machine with all the requisite' qualifications and characteristics as the voluntary system of enlistment for service with the colours. It may .be taken for granted that, except as a very last resort, and failing all else, Great Britain and her dependencies oversea will never adopt conscription; but this is not to'say.that it may not be found necessary to adopt some form of compulsory military training between the period of youth and manhood with the view of constituting a reserve for the regular forces, should the purely voluntary system at .any time prove inadequate for requirements. , In tho Dominion there docs not, unfortunately, seem to bo any great enthusiasm for military lil'o and training. Volunteering does not hold tho place it 'should in the minds of the young and able-bodied men as a means whereby they may fit themselves, if ever called upon, to defend their hearths and homes. Indie.:!, there is a" much to be deplored tendency abroad rather to sneer at, and make fun of, tho citizen soldier than to commend his patriotic efforts. These civilians have no hesitation whatever in expressing the opinion that soldiering is a. waste of time, that they can see uo iise in it, and that there is no benefit whatever to tho unit concerned, much prospective value it may have for the State.

It may educate, therefore, these persons, as well as interest a far .larger circle generally, to reproduce the experience of one who served his time as a conscript in the army of Holland, and yet is profuse in his acknowledgment of the groat mental and physical good he acquired as the result of his enforced military service. This experience appears in the Spectator of April 18 last, over the signature of \V. L. Vas be Kasteeee, who is the conscript referred to. Mr. Van de Kasteele, though born a Dutch subject, went to England at the age of fourteen years, received his education there, and subsequently entered into business there, and he now calls himself an Englishman. But at the age of twenty ho found'.that his six years' residence in, England did-not exempt him from scrvicein the Dutch Army, and consequently he served the various obligatory terms as a conscript in Holland.. "1 shall never regret," he says, " the thirteen months spent as a soldier, and shall always consider that the habits of punctuality and discipline which I then acquired, and-my physical training, have amply compensated me for the time taken from my business training and career." It should here be explained that conscription is a far less severe tax on the young men of Holland than it is on those of the larger Continental nations, the term of scrvice being from eight to twelve months at first, and in the course of the next seven years three separate terms of one month each. Mr. Van de Kasteele as a result of his own observation regards military life (the citizen soldier's life) as one of the most valuable influences for the lessening of social .differences and of class hatred, in it all arc equal; only military rank counts! lie allows that the routine duties were irksome, but admits that both his body and mind were trained in a manner which he found most useful in his subsequent career. " The military training developed every good and useful quality. Those who in civil life earned their daily bread with their hands learned to use their brains, and those who were more accustomed to use their' mental. powers acquired tho skill to use their hands." Ho holds that-the great principles of discipline,, obedience, and courtesy which are instilled by military service are of infinite refining value to a people as a whole, and help to minimise the " slouching ruffianism and discourtesy " so common in the public streets.

Of courso, Mr. Van letter to ths Spectator is really a defence of conscription, with which, of course, wc have no sort of sympathy whatever. But bis personal experience of the benefits to be derived by the individual who submits himself to military training and discipline applies equally to tin voluntary system of enlistment, or enrolling as a citizen soldier. It is the life itself that leaves its mark upon the man, and in the ease of the citizen soldiery, iupon the nation, bestowing such qualities and qualifications as must benefit the individual whatevor may be his civilian calling. It would be a good thing for the Dominion if the bulk of its young men would regard the great question of national defence in this light. Not only would the, Empire, and this country particularly, be the gainers thereby, but they themselves would be rondercd far more capable of successfully fighting the strenuous battle of life which lies before.them.