THE CALL OF COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 16236, 4 October 1916, Page 4

THE CALL OF COUNTRY.

I TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I sometimes wonder if men eve?; think that not even in the nest world will they get the same reward if they have tel! bo forced to fight to protect the honor oft women and the lives of innocent children,! as the man who gives his life a willing sacrifice. I truly believe often it is not cowardice, nor the fear of physical pain that holds many men back from answering their country's call, but the thought that’ if they are “ outed ” (as our brave boys at> Gallipoli called it) they will go to a place of everlasting punishment. I feel surol such is not the case. The gentle Saviour j cf mankind will never coiftlemn men who are fighting for the principles He Himself’ taught whilst on earth to any such place. Our brave boys but pass on* to a higher life, where they can progress without anv of the temptations that beset them whilst on earth. Oh, men of Otago, wake up! , Do not suffer the everlasing shame and ’ disgrace of being taken as conscripts. If we women were only physically strong enough many mothers would cheerfully go forward and save you the ordeal without waiting to see if other women were doing their duty. My own son heard the bugles of England calling in the early stages of i the war, and has since joined Kitcheners army on the other side of life. Oh, can’t ] yon hear the bugles calling, loo? Can’t! you see and hear your mates ending aa. they turn their weary, anxious eyes foe; tho_ supports to arrive when they are irt I a tight corner? Think, when yon lie in* your warm bed at night, that some other] fellow has to lie on the cold, hard ground • to protect yon. Don’t try to cross vouri bridges before you come to them. Don’t, think of to face the dreadful bayo- j nets. The example of some brave com- j rado and the thought that you are fighti ig; to protect women and children from the awful fata that would be ours it the Gov-, mans ever landed on our shores, will m-i spire you in your hour of dread with cour*j age and give your arm strength to strike ag heavy blow to your country's foes.—l amg etc., A Bereaved Mother, October hj .