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Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 5 November 1915, Page 3

WHILEit is our endea vour to give correspondents every facility for the free expression of their opinion, it should be borne in mind that the views expressed do not, necessarily, reflect the opinions of the Editor.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I read with much pleasure in your last issue a letter on conscription by “ Superannuated, ’ and trust that a more able pen than mine will take up the cudgels. It is interesting to listen to conversations in the street re conscription. I heard one young man state that he did not believe in compulsory .service, it was not democratic, but believed in voltary service, and from what one could glean from the conversation, he has no intention of joining the colours. On moving down the town, there was another small group of young men airing their views on the same subject. One of the party remarked “ I do not intend to enlist, if the Government want more men let them bring in conscription, and put us all on one footing. lam not going to throw up my position for some alien to come into the country and get it.” It seems plain to me that it is the only way to get at the shirker. Those who are opposed to conscription, and shelter themselves behind the boys who think more of their mother’s and sisters than of idling their time away at street corners, and looking out for some soft job to hop into as soon as vacated by those loyal enough to stand up for their mothers, sisters, king and country. It is only waste of time and words the Mayor of Auckland harping on the South Island’s shortness of men. tie should take the bull by the horns and advocate conscription, it is the only way to bring the shirker up to the mark. It will have to come sooner or later, and I fail to see why the Dominion should hang-fire to see what her neighbours are going to do. I read in Saturday night’s Star, where Lord Rosebery was speaking' at a recruiting meeting in Edinborough he said: “ We are asking for another 3,000,000 men." There is only one way to get them, i.e., conscription. Thanking you in anticipation. I am, FAIR PLAY.