THE MINIMUM MILITARY AGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17084, 16 August 1917, Page 6

THE MINIMUM MILITARY AGE.

ant,—it is very refreshing to observe the thorough-going manner in which the people of Dunedin nave for some months past tackled the Government whenever it has shown an inclination to carry the military spirit too far. But, perhaps, you will permit me to point out that it was the publio that first of .all encouraged the Government to introduce compulsory service, without any conditions. I remomber when Mr Massey spoke against compulsion. And, if I mistake not, the leading soirits in your city were among the first, if'not the very first, to demand uni /?rsal conscription. Well, the Government obliged them, and, finned with such a powerful weapon with whicli to win tbc war," it was hardly*'to bo oxpected it would relinquish its hold on the man-power of the dominion the moment its advisers chose to oall upon it to do so. The Government, as a matter of fact, had gone too far to draw back all at once, if at all. All this experience shows the need for the greatest caution on the part of the public, so that, what one of your citizens called " panio legislation," may be avoided. And, perhaps, the proverbially canny Soot, along with his brethren in the north, will be a trifle cannier in the future. I am, etc., A Canterbury Man. [The objection to the reduction of the military age does uot irniply any disagreement with the principle of compulsion in the case_ of those who are capable of rendering efficient military service and of standing the strain of military life. —Ed. O.D.T.]