MILITARY TRAINING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12282, 8 July 1914, Page 5

MILITARY TRAINING.

To the Editor. Sir, —Kindly grant me a little of your valuable space'to say a few words anent the above. All lands of legislative Acts are constantly being criticised, either ■ rightly or wrongly. but one of the most important Acts," military training, is not, at present, touched upon, save by those who have reason to doubt its effects on the youth of : the Dominion. V,"c must all recognise the fact that the young men take part in building lip a country, and the chief part they take up is the defence, forjione other than strong and active meii would do foxsuch. Now, Sir, it must be admitted the present conditions of the Act are serious and detrimental to the men concerned. Parents do their best to train their children up to become respectable citizens, and enjoy holiest liberties. But now, since the formation of Territorial forces, the punishment meted out to those who "fail to> drill" every time, lias in many cages only hardened the youths. It £s only reasonable to assume that these young men should be encouraged instead of being threatened with lines and imprisonment, Tor in the time of need they will be depended on to defend their rights. Only recently a lad was fined, for not attending drill • —and, mind you, he was working long hours on a threshing mill at the time, — and because lie did not pay his fine was compelled to leave bis work and put :ii time at the detention barracksI—another 1 —another name for a gaol,—and most iikely lic is trying to get a living somewhere else. No doubt there are many cases like this. Parents are often dependent on their boys to help them, but when they are driven away by those who ought to lift them up. surely, Sir, it is time something more honorable was done by those in power. Thanking yon in anticipation.— I am. etc., INTERESTED.