CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 184, 21 July 1911, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

(It must be distinctly understood i we are not to be identified with the opinions expressed by Correspondents in our columns.] ' TO THE EDITOR. { Sir, -Your correspondent who styles himself “Freedom” surely does not understand the true meaning of the word. Evidently, to his Very finite understanding it! means to do just what one likes, regardless of public opinion or the laws of his country. Such a man’ ought to be deported to the wilds { of Central Africa, where he can revel in freedom(f) His know-’ ledge of history is practically nil, or he would know that nearly alii our ancestors fought under compulsory military service. I will try and enlighten him with a few ex-' amples. Our Saxon forefathers! were bound to keep themselves in : training for the time when the{ word should go round from the i Earl or Chief calling them to as-{ setnble under his banner, and every' able-bodied man was bound under severe, penalties to answer the call. Again, take the mediaeval times; every knight was bound to assemble his men at arms to the service of his over-lord or Earl. Surely, “ Freedom ” must also know that our Navy, which won such glorious! victories at the Nile and Trafalgar,! was recruited by press-gangs. The! Channel Islanders, who up to a; short time ago made their own!

law s.and who enjoyed greater free-i dom than any other part of the I British Empire, enjoyed conscription. “ Freedom,” like most people of his kidney, cannot reason, but descends to abuse. Surely, he must know that compulsory military training was forced upon the i Premier by universal public opi-l nion. “Freedom” would like to; bribe? the youth of the country with) free passes on the railways, etc. ;! but, in my opinion—and I think I! am voicing the opinions of the; majority of the people of the Do-:

minion—the only equitable way is that every able-bodied man should be able, and ready to defend his country in case of need, and that can only be brought about by compulsory military service.—l am, etc., ‘ ‘ PATRIOT.