RECRUITING WEEK.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4814, 24 July 1939, Page 5

RECRUITING WEEK.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I wish to endorse and support the efforts of those who are actively seconding the Prime Minister’s appeal for a strong volunteer Territorial Force. Opinions upon the causes, or the inevitability of war vary considerably, but in these days of power politics few will maintain that our privilege to govern New Zealand will always remain unchallenged. In the event of such a challenge what will be our reaction as individuals? Three alternatives suggest themselves to me: — (1) To weakly submit to the dictation of aggressors. (To any advocating this policy I have no reply.) (2) To leave the defence of our right to self-government to a few enthusiasts, assuring them of our moral support. (To admit the principle, but “leave it to the other fellow” to practise, savours of cowardice. The reply to this is conscription.)

(3) To fit ourselves to carry out any duty we, as citizens of New Zealand, may legitimately be called upon to perform. (This appears to me to be the only attitude for any right thinking people to adopt, and the defence of the right to self-government is obviously the first duty of any democratic people.) To fit oui’selves for this duty is just as much a civic responsibility as the fitting of our children to fight the peacetime battles of life. Of those to whom the present appeal is directed I would ask not “Would you do your share?” but “Could you do your share?” Success in any trial of skill and strength requires training, whether the venue be the football or the battlefield, and I sincerely trust that

the faith of our leaders in the acceptance of this fact by the youth of New Zealand will not be misplaced. The fitting of ourselves to protect that which we value, whether it be against fire, water, or a human aggressor, is merely in the nature of insurance; and no argument as to who should pay the premium absolves us from our obligation to man the brigade. As ignorance and apathy gave birth to compulsory education; as dereliction and evasion made necessary most of the coercive measures on our statute book; so will neglect to measure up to our responsibilities upon this occasion be the only sound ground for the re-introduction of that further blot upon our civic consciousness—conscription.

In conclusion, Sir, I regret that absence from Te Kuiti prevents me from active co-operation with my comrades of the L.O.F. during the coming week, and I trust that their efforts will meet with the ready response they deserve.—l am, etc.,

F. J. PATTEN.