CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 38, 14 August 1917, Page 3

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

SHOULD THE LIMIT BE LOWERED? • 10 IHH EDITOR. , Sir,—ln reference to the Government's proposal to reduce the age limit for active service to 19 years, I should like to say that, as the father of a boy who would shortly be affected, if this became law I must enter my protest. Probably all the young fellows of that age know their drill fairly well, and already the Government has been charged with sending men away who were only one month in camp. Would it not do the same with these youths? It is the'young fellows who take the risks, and if a company of. them, after a month's training, were asked-.'if they were ready to go into the trenches, none would answer in the negative. Now, we have all seen how camp life develops the soldier. This is more noticeable in the cases of men sitting for a commission, who are thus longer in camp, and also with young fellows from offices and warehouses. I contend that, even if conversant with the drill, a youth should not be rushed away unt.il he is hardened up by outdoor eerciso for at least six months before leaving New Zealand. He would thus be better a hie to withstand the hardship of trench life.

It will perhaps be said that they cannot cet the latest trainin;? here, but- will obtain it, at the camps in England. I venture to My flint if thsy cct away from New Zealand, the age limit will

probably not trouble the Home authorities, so the developing process should be insisted on here.

Another thing, if the latest drill is not known by our instructors, why not send tKem away to acquire the knowledge, or let them join up with the contingents already undergoing training in England? At the same time, fresh instructors could come out here. The war gives no 3ign of coming to an end, and may last for years yet. —I am, etc., ■ FATHER. ; 13th August.