COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1193, 31 July 1911, Page 4

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Sir—The number of objectors to compulsory military training is apparently considerably greater than one would nave expected in a countrr whose loyalty has been so much advertised, and whose population is so scanty as to render it imperative that every able-bodied man should bo so trained as .to render him fitted to materially assist in the defence of the Dominion should occasion arise. The question as to the best method of dealing with those who may have to military training demands the serious and immediate attention of the Government. AVhilst New Zealand has yet to learn that, in the case of vaccination,, tho introduction of tho "conscientious objector's clause" was criminal, such a clause might, with advantage, be legalised in the caso of compulsory military training—but only on the condition that n sum of not less than •ten.pounds'be paid annually, for his oxeruption, by each able-bodied mail who declines to undergo such training. Oniis•cipu to pay tho exemption tax.should be punished by imprisonment for one month, with hard labour of such nature as will benefit the development and progress of his country. The threat, expressed by • a number of youn# men, tnut they .will leave the country rather than undergo a . course of training, may be absolutely disThe likelihood of such a threat, being carried out . by- any ■ considerable number •of men- is imaginary rather than real Ne«'-Zealand will.-benefit,- and not suffer, by the,loss;! of poor.spcei- ' liiens of humanity who would be unwilling ; to assist in the. defence of the country: of-their birth or of their adoption. The cost to the .Dominion of. Military, and navaldefence'miist, of necessity, increase in tho -near future,'and tho .money- -doriveclfrom ,the : exemption tax- .might reasonably bo *iewW-;by the Government.-to-.form, tho '®M'e®Sof a special : -(fefeuce l fifn<r;—Fain, . IJNpSAYfC. GODEKAY. i Waipukurau, .July 24, 1911. 5