BOYS OF NINETEEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9736, 11 August 1917, Page 6

BOYS OF NINETEEN

The announcement that the age for conscription is to be lowered to nineteen years is almost incredible- However, it is apparently made in all seriousness. That it has been received with derision and scorn is not in any way surprising. The proposal is an ■insult to the manhood of New Zealand. If reinforcements must be found, and there is no question that we must supply them until the w r ar is carried to a victorious conclusion, we are surely not going to seek them in the schools and nurseries. It is unthinkable that the men of the Second Division desire to shelter themselves behind the boys of the country. This, however, is the interpretation that has gone forth to tho people, and is being viewed by every mother with undisguised dismay and contempt. Needless to say, the proposal has found its origin in political pusillanimity. Alarmed by tho formation of a Second Division League, possessing considerable voting power, the Government has sought refuge in tho line ot least resistance. In a spirit of political cowardice, it is delaying the conscription of the Second Division, and supplying the emergency by a call upon tho immature lads of the country who have rot attained full development. For the credit of New Zealand, wo sincerely trust that public opinion will be strong enough to emphatically veto this unwarrantable proposal. So long as there is a groat war to wage, let us face tho situation like men, and send only men to do men's work. Two strong influences have been a powerful factor in bringing about the present humiliating situation, lino is tne political strength ot tne Second Division. Tne other is the alarm of the landed aristocracy and the wealthy classes at the financial liability, involving heavy additional taxation, that wui no contraoted by sending the men of the Second Division to the front. However, the latter reason should not be allowed to weigh. Air Massey has proclaimed over and over again his determination to exhaust the last shilling in the cause of the country, bo tar, he has net begun to touch the vast resources of private wealth. The wealth —such as it is—as well as the liVes of the men of lio First Division have been conscripted. When we ask a man of the First or Second Division to close his’ business and go on active service, we, are most cortuuiy conscripting his wealth as well as his life. i*ui when the wealthy squatter or capitalist is asked to put some of his hoarded wealth into the War Loan, we must assure him exemption from income tax, so that his return by way of interest is anything from five to eight per cent. Where is tho equality of sacrifice? The private wealth of the country is not being sufficiently called upon to meet the existing emergency. If money is necessary to finance the mobilisation of the Second Division, the money should be taken irrespective of the demands of usury, and employed in the country's service. But, for Heaven’s sake, let us pause and reflect before we proceed to emulate the example of the Germans by sending boys of nineteen to fight the battles of the Empire.