Compulsory Military Training.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XL, Issue XL, 18 October 1912, Page 3

Compulsory Military Training.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—"John Bull, jun. " thinks his dad's an old fool. Probably, Sir, he thinks him a " nauseous nonentity " and not one of the people that count, or of doubtful British descent or other strange things,- since he does not favor compulsory military training or brag about his patriotism, or infer that those who differ from him are minus that somewhat unknown quantity. People who pride themselves on their great descent should make a close personal scrutiny of their manners, that they may assure themselves that their great descent is not what is wrong with them. This, of course, is not discussing the pros and cons of compulsory military training. Still I think it well to direct John Bull, junior's, attention to John Bull, senior's, policy on these masters, so that he may not hurt the old chap by a ricochet shot at me. Missiles like his, of this I've no doubt of: Usually sink the ship they are fired out of.

I thank you, Sir, for the hint conveyed in your leader that my opponent is a youthful contributor. I was beginning to think that he was some pettifogging iawyer practising the trick of his trade: no case, abuse the other side; but as he is merely an impertinent youth, ,1 admit at once that probably compulsory training of some kind would be good for him. Still I believe it to be as impossible to make a compulsory,gentleman as it is to manufacture compulsory patriots. I am, etc., John Law, jun. Ranfurly, Oct. 15.