YOUTH AND THE WAR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIX, Issue 284, 1 December 1915, Page 2

YOUTH AND THE WAR.

SUGGESTION.TO THE MINISTER

Among the military resources of the Dominion are the youths who would ordinarily be passing through the Territorial forces under the established Defence system, naid who, at '20.-years .0f..-.age, are very generally eligible., for enlistment. It is common knowledge (observes the N.Z. Herald) that the enthusiasm of numerous lads has induced them to add years to, their true age and thus to slip into the reinforcements against the intention of the authorities and without any adequate gain to the effective strength at the front, where endurance and stamina are as necessary as discipline and courage. This patriotic ardor is too commendable to be ignored a.nd might be diverted to a valuable channel if the Minister for Defence could arrange for the registration of lads who are waiting impatiently to become young men, and who propose, with parental consent, to enlist at the earliest opportunity. These lads might voluntarily registerto be called >ip in classes at 20 years of age, if their services were then required, and would, in any case, have the great satisfaction in aftei- years of being aible to show that they wereready to do their duty../ Such registrations would be entirely consistent with the policy of constant and unfailing reinforcement, as long as thewar lasts, determined ,upon by Mr Allen, and would, lay.the foundationsof contingents from 1916 onwards. About 8000 young New Zealanders reach the a>ge of 20 in any given year ; it is extremely probable that a very' considerable proportion would takeadvantage of a. system of anticipatory enlistment which: would strengthen the patriotic spii'it of the community, and should excite emulation in young men of riper age.