MILITARY TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 107, 2 November 1937, Page 8

MILITARY TRAINING

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Being just one of the many who "went" of our own free will to the war, will you permit me to offer a friendly reply to "One of the Outcasts"? May I suggest to the various Diggers who are up against it that they cut out the "moaning"? When we volunteered to fight for New Zealand we signed contracts that covered the duration of the war only, after which (if we were still fit to carry on) it was up to us. We did not go to the war to fight for others only but for ourselves as well (we preferred British rule) and although a goodly number of "lead swingers" remained at home, so also did a great many fit men, for the work of the country had to be carried on,, and that work included the preparation and dispatch of food, clothes, etc., for the troops. But ex-Diggers should bear in mind the fact that "moaners" were as vn r popular "over there" as they are here; that there are quite a lot of returned men who are paying heavy taxes, part of which go to support those who cannot make ends meet; and that the great majority of those who fought with determination and returned are carrying on in peace time with that same spirit, are absolutely 'self-reliant, and expect nothing more than a "fair spin from any man. Further, although there are apparently a number of "C.O.'s' and "won't goes" at present in New Zealand, I think that much the same spirit will be shown in any future war as was shown in 1914 onwards, and when the "common enemy" bobs his head up the men of this country will quickly see that it is a case of kill or be killed, or become the slave of that enemy, and they'll be pretty' sudden in their efforts to knock that head back again. So keep that "Le Quesnoy" grin going. Diggers, quit moaning, and think ot that little song "Apres la guerre finis' —this is peace, and we hope to keep it so-I am, etc., Another correspondent ("Disgusted") also writes endorsing the views of "One of the Outcasts." . "Disgusted states:— , , , ~ , "I have not the slightest doubt that our Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) is giving the returned spldier a better deal than he has had in the past, but there is room for improvement. It is about time that this hand-to-mouth existence was finished, especially when a man volunteers his life for. the country."