ALIENS AND MILITARY SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9812, 8 November 1917, Page 3

ALIENS AND MILITARY SERVICE

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir—ls it not time some pressure was brought to bear on our Government compelling them to pass legislation, to compel military service of aliens and so postpone the calling up of our married men? It is a disgrace to allow aliens to live under the protection or the British Wag exempt from military service in our great national struggle for existence as an Empire, while the best of our manhood are spending their blood and lo’sing their lives while these foreigners get ofl scot free. Let the married men and some of our independent representatives urge on the Government to pass a bill compelling military service of all friendly aliens. If there is any difficulty about" international law, let our Government notary all friendly neutrals and our Allies tlu\t they are passing legislation compelling all aliens to be subject to military service, or allow them to go homo to their own country. Lord Derby spoke to the point in moving the second reading in tho House of Lords of the bill by winch the Allies can compel military service of friendly foreigners. He is reported to have said: "That ' pretty soon after the bill was passed young .Russians living in this country would have -tti opportunity of returning to their own country. If, however, they could not bo sent back to Russia, they must not imagine .that they would be able to shirk service hero; if they did they ■would find they wore very much mistaken. After three months’ service in the British Army their wives and dependents would bo entitled to a pension.” Let our Government take action at once. Thera are hundreds of aliens fit and able for' military service; make them do their share, and put off or postpone calling up our married men. 1 am not married, and am too old for military service, so write from no personal motive.—l am, etc., , A, BRITISH SUBJECT.