CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1473, 16 November 1915, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. — There are so many references to conscription that the question is becoming serious throughout the country. The writer does not wish to enforce his views, but realises that there are times when every adult should consider what is, and will be, the best for the country and Empire. The following telegram, and letter extracts, will justify my appeal for all to do their best : Telegram, dated November irth; “Cable advice received reports 11298. Osborne, Thirteenth Australian Battalion seriously ill Heliopolis, enteric. Base records.” Two days prior we received a letter from him ; also one from his mate, who had been sent home to Scotland minus a leg, enquiring after his mate “Burn.” They are the only remaining two out of tbeir section. They got separated during a battle, and thought they were parted for all time. Some time after, “Burn” got “run down,” and was sent to hospital, where he remained deaf and dumb for some time, but has since recovered, and was looking forward with great hopes of returning to the trenches to “see it through.” While here be met his mate. At the battle where they got parted, the Turks fairly blew up the part of the hill they (our boys) were defending, and felt so sme ot conquest that they walked leisurely over to take possession, but to their surprise, our boys jumped up and went for them, whereupon the Turks ran for their lives. They run from the bayonet. “The young men who are remaining at home don’t know how badly they arc needed, or they would enlist. Any fellows who know our needs and have neither ties nor dependents and refuses to enlist must be regular shirkers. I would rather return with one leg than be a shirker. The doctors and nurses do everything possible, and will not allow us to return to the front till we are quite well.” Conscription sounds unßritish, There will be no need for it if the Government will show more interest in making provision for returned disabled soldiers and tbeir dependents. Lot recruits know that the country for which they are to light will recognise their services, and that a fair remuneration will be given them and provision made out of the wealth they are protecting to create a pension fund, upon which they will have a legal claim, and not have to go cap in baud for a pittance to keep body and soul together. Let the men know that their conditions (in many instances) will be improved, and their services suitably recognised for having saved a country like New Zealand, worth .£500,000,000, then you will have volunteers from Auckland to Dunedin anxious to get their names in first. Compulsion under the British dag ? Not much ! Old England though she be, her bulwarks still arc sound, And she’s the fairest vessel that, ever sailed earth around ; That ever sailed earth round, my lads, and yon will live to see Her name go round the world again . as the watchword of the free. And so it shall he to the end, as of ■ yore, One cheer, then, for old England, and one cheer more. Good old England. Compulsion ! Belter commandeer the increased wealth, be,, wealth held by those who have not earned It or have made enormous profits out of the war. This will appear ridiculous to the large speculators, who will immediately say that any government that would attempt such legislation would not be tolerated. My reply to such is that these are war limes, ami the Government must have the people behind them, and the people will see that any Government will be tolerated and supported that will conscientiously do its duty and save the country. Is there any Government in the Empire who will be afraid to tax capital so as to provide comforts and necessities for returned soldiers and also offer inducements for volunteers rather than resort to conscription ? Is not the life of the poor man as valuable as the riches ot the wealthy ? The first excitement of war Is over. We have now to face stern realities. Men are wanted, and must be had, but conscription ? Let us hope not. If the Government are too sensitive to exercise tbeir powers to make liberal provision for volunteers, and resort to conscription, then let us hope that they will give ample notice so that all patriots will have the opportunity of giving their names, even if under age, rather than be branded “conscripts.” Three of my sons have enlisted, and another under age has applied, and I would rather he joins now, and so would he, than be called a conscript. Many patriotic men would feel grieved to find necessity lor conscription. I feel certain there is no need for it —men can be bad without. Our brave fellows at the front would not welcome a conscript army like they would an army of volunteers. While our volunteers would be marching buoyantly and singing “Tipperary” and “Rule Brittania,” the conscript army would drag along, trying to sing “Come on My Partners in Distress ” All men are not suitable for soldiers, l and I consider it ridiculous lor thoughtless people to send young men white feathers. We don’t know their thoughts. Every and woman too, can be used profitably. If the Government fear the people would not approve of more liberal provision being made for pensions, then let us

have a War Committee (like they have at Home) of five —Messrs Massey and Ward and three by plebiscite—then all classes would be satisfied, and wealth could not threaten power. Some of our wealthy people have acted so nobly in giving their sons and their money that they have become examples to the world. They have nobly done their duly, but we can’t expect all wealthy people to act so nobly, and it is the less considerate that must be reached. 1 must apologise for taking so much of your valuable space, but the need is great. Last time I addressed you your report was copied in papers throughout the colony from Dunedin to Auckland, and 1 feel it. a duly to write to the Manawatu Hkca i:n, as I believe your readers will be the most interested. Metbinks I hear tlu> cry from Macedonia, “Come p us !” being voiced from the mave lads at the front, who are determined to “return with their shields in victory or be borne on them in. death.’’ No Spartans were ever braver. It is a Foxton boy calling to Foxton boys, and thank God the Foxton lads are never wanting wheu their country calls. Lest I become too wearisome I shall stop. —Yours, etc,, Edmund OSIiORNK, Palmerston N., Nov. 13th.