QUESTION OF ENLISTMENT

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 76, 27 September 1916, Page 11

QUESTION OF ENLISTMENT

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —May I voice a complaint prevalent among young men in this city, if not in the whole Dominion? It con-' cerns the shortage of men for ,the 21st Reinforcements, which represents a-total of 600. It has, since-the date the 21st Reinforcements went into camp, been reported that about 1000 youths who are 18 and 19 years of age have been rejected on account of age. Is this not an absurd- and serious shortage? Why does not the New . Zealand, Government reduce the enlisting. age to 18, as exists jn our "Mother"- Country, Canada, arid: j Australia 1"' Just recently. Sir Douglas Haig made a statement to the effect I that- this war was a young man's game, v and that he wanted no more men at the i age of 45. Again, have not the'young ' men. proved, themselves at the. front? Was not the landing at Anzac made by young men? Perhaps it is not generally, known, but , nevertheless is a fact, that in tho early stages of the Gallipoli,, campaign a division of Lancashire Ter-' ritorials, 75 per cent, of whom were under 20 years, of age,' fought with conspicuous bravery alongside of the famous 29th"Division and the Anzacs in their attack on Krithia. Again, I ask why is not the age reduced instead of bringing into force the Compulsion Act, which will force men to fight, and when they get there will not be worth their food? If the Defence Department -.ill not reduce tlie age of enlisting, will they.permit young men between the ages of 18 and '20.. to., leave the Dominion in order that''they may enlist in Australia?—l am,'etc.- ■' '*•'...." ■■;,.*•'• .WEAKLY EIGHTEEN.. . 25th .September.: .