THE BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL’S SUGGESTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 16

THE BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL’S SUGGESTIONS

TO THE EDITOR Sir. —I crave your indulgence , for space to reply, briefly, to your correspondent “Ex-Bruce.” who had the temerity in Saturday’s Daily Times to Question the collective probity of the Bruce county councillors, and. inter alia., asked “ If. Mr McGregor and all those councillors who supported the conscription of someone else’s flesh and blood, are so wholeheartedly keen to advocate, and support, the conscription of their farms, property, investments. money, and. in short, their whole resources,” etc. Personally. I unhesitatingly answer Yes. absolutely, when necessary, and I sav emphatically the resolution carried by the Bruce County Council on the subject of conscription definitely indicated that implication. Ordinarily, I would disdain to comment upon such a whining tirade as that of “ Ex-Bruce. But when the Empire is in actual conflict with an implacable enemy, involving the weal and honour of this Dominion. I would fain give the quietus to this forbidding bogv so assiduously paraded bv eve: y tenderfoot of ExBruce’s” kidney, who. with, sinister implication, would convey the impression that wealth so conscripted should become the legitimate loot of all .surviving shirkers. May God forefencbEven more objectionable is the tacit inference of “ Ex-Bruce ” that ■ those advocates for the conscription of eligible manhood in New Zealand do mot share equitably in the human sacrifice. This is pure fudge. The members of mv family, comprising seven sons and sohs-in-law. are conscriptable—aye, imphm.—l am. etc.. Donald McGregor, Milburn. February 12.