MINIMUM MILITARY AGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17081, 13 August 1917, Page 7

MINIMUM MILITARY AGE

QUESTION OF REDUCTION. DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR. On Saturday morning a deputation from tho National Welfare Association waited on the Mayor of tho city (Mr J. J. Clark) with a request that ho would tako tho chair at a public mooting to bo called for tho purpose of considering the question of lowering tho minimum ago of recruits from 20 to 10 yeans. Or Bradley introduced the deputation, and stated that tho deputation wanted to mako tho position of tho association clear. At tho meeting hold on Thursday evening the members—some of them were tho fathers of largo families—expressed the opinion that rather than their boys should be oallcd up they themselves would go forward to fight. They wcro prepared to do their duty in every way; and all thoy askod was that tho Government generally, and the Minister of Defence in particular, should do theirs, and in no way attempt to shirk it by sending young fooys to tho front. Mr J. M'Donald, in reply to a point raised by his_ Worship that the Government had not officially announced that these lads were to bo called up, said that it was well known that tho proposed amendments to tho Military Service Act contained this proposal, and it was time the people moved m tho direction proposed by the association, or it might bo too late. After some slight discussion, his Worship intimated that he would bo pleased to preside over tho meeting, and that he would be disengaged on this (Monday) evening or to-morrow (Tuesday) evening. PROTEST FROM RECRUITING COMMITTEE. On behalf of the Otago Recruiting Committee, Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham has forwarded the following telegram to the Defence Minister, Wellington:—" While realising tho urgent necessity for keeping, up our regular supply of reinforcements, tho Otago Recruiting Committee can seo no valid reason for reducing the enlistment ago below 20 years. "We ■ cannot believe such a proposal will be introduced, but, if so, then wo desire to enter the strongest of protests." PROTESTS ELSEWHERE. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 11. The executive of tho Auckland Second Division League passed a resolution emphatically protesting against any attempt to lower the age limit for malifcaiy service, and will urga tho central executive to uso every effort to prevent it. INYERCARGILL, August 11. A special meeting of the executive of tho Second Division League, representing 6000 members in Southland, to-day resolved to emphatically protest against tho reported intention to reduce tho age for conscription to 19 years. VIEWS OF MAYOR OF AUCKLAND. (Feom Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, August 12. The Mayor (Mr J. 11. Gunson), in stating his views, said: "Tho suggestion, that tho age should be lowered m order that boys might be enlisted for active service is to my mind exceedingly ill-advised, and I trust that the House, m the event of such a proposal being made, will not for a moment entertain it. I have no doubt whatever that an overwhelming weight of opinion throughout the dominion would bo solidly against any proposal that would have for its object the conscripting of the boys of our land'. If any serious difficulty is likely to arise in reference to our reinforcements, I am satisfied that the greater bulk of tho oamirryunity would far sooner see the maximum age limit increased to 48 years than that there should be any lowering of present minimum. There aro very large numbers of men both in the First and Second Divisions up to 48 years of age who aro absolutely fit, and who, having matured, are bettor able to stand a campaign than these school boys. In my opinion, to conscript the latter at this stage would be J bordering almost on crime against tho youth of the country." [ HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION. An indignant and emphatic protest was ontered by Mr W. J. Morrell (rector of the Otago Boys' High School) at tho reunion of old boys of tho school on Saturday evening, against tho posal to conscript youths -of 18 and 19 years of ago for active service. He expressed himself as absolutely antagonistic to any such proposal.—("Hear, hear.") From his own experience he was quite cognisant of the faot that maity boys of immature years wero anzioua to serve, but it was not right that they should bo allowed to go. Again it was not for us to keep up the reinforcement drafts for tho future by making youths of this age liable under' statute for military service. He was strongly of opinion that tho people of tho dominion would not tolerate such a measure—(loud applause)— and ho was sure it was not tho wish of the dominion. It could not but be considered monstrous to conscipt the flesh and blood of mere boys in order to shield older and more' matured men.—("Hear, hear.") The Hon. Sir J. W. Fortescuc, tho recognised British war historian, had made the following reference to the question of boys of immature years being sent on active service:—"Let us deal first with the physical requirements of a soldier. First and foremost, ho must be mature; a man, not a boy. Otherwise, no matter how great his pluck, he will never be able to withstand tho hard work of a campaign; Thero is hardly a country which has not again and again filled up its muster rolls with childi-en, and deceived itself into the belief that it was enlarging its armies, instead of filling up its military hospitals and graveyards. Boys can, of course, do tho work of garrisons within certain limits, but it is (to speak brutally) cheaper to knock tliem on tho head at onoe and bury them at home than to send them upon active service in the field." Continuing, Mr Morrell said he sincerely hoped that the people of tho dominion would not entertain such a preposterous proposal.—(Loud applause.) The remarks of Mr Morrell were followed up by Mr "W. L. Mooro, who also trenchantly criticised tho proposal. The chairman (Mr J. J. Mallard) expressed himself as quite in accord with tho sentiments of th© previous speakers. Ho considered lads of 20 and 21 were quite young enough as it was.—("Hear, hear.") Mr Moore then moved a resolution to th© effect that the Otago High School Old Boys' Association strongly protests against tho proposal to send young boys of 18 and 19 years to th© front. Tho motion was seconded by Mr B. B. Couston, and carried unanimously. It was decided to forward a copy to the Prime Minister and Sir James Allen. WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE. The executive of the Otago branch, of the Women's National Reserve has communicated with the Minister of Defence and with the local members of Parliament, strongly protesting against any proposal to 'lower the military age. AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF RAILWAY SERVANTS. The Otago branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants carried the following resolution at a general meeting yesterday afternoon'"That this meeting, representing over 600 members, enters its most emphatic protest against any attempt on the part of the Government to call up young lads for service with the Expeditionary Forces, and expresses its determination to use every means in its power to prevent such an unjust proposal being brought into operation. We regard this proposal as an attempt on the part of tho Government to evade its responsibilities in this country's part in tho war, and wo demand proper and adequate provision being mad© for tho Second Division. We want British fair play and not boy sacrifice." This resolution will be forwarded to each member of th© Cabinet and tho local, members of Parliament." UNITED CHRISTIAiS COUNCIL. The _ iocretary of the United Christian Council (the Rev. G. Heighway) reports having received tho following replies in answer to th© council's protest against tho proposal said to be contemplated by the Government to reduco tho military ago to 19 years. Tho Prime Minister telegraphed.: '•Your telegram .received rc military age". Tho matter to which you refer has not yet been considered by Cabinet." Sir James Allen replied: "Every consideration will be given to tho re-present? tions made in your telegram of ye.-tLi-day regarding tho reduction of tho military age for scrvico with the Expeditionary Forces to 19 years."

ENGINEERS' UNION OF EMPLOYERS. At' a meeting of the Otago Engineers' Industrial Union of Employers tho following resolution was carried"That this union of employers strongly objects to the calling up of youths under 20 yours of age. as being detrimental to the woifaro of the youths and to the interest:; cf our industries. in view of the fact that the r.inks of the skilled men luivo been so seriously depleted."