Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8795, 24 April 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES.

AN agitation isjgoing ou in Britain at the present time for the establishment of a system of compulsory military ’service ou the Continental pattern. It is undoubtedly true that a good deal can be said in favour of such a system, and we quote the following from the journal of the National Service League to show what- jfs advocates claim in its favour. “It is,” says the journal, “easy to show that uo far from it being surprising that uuhversal service should lead to industrial efficiency and commercial progress, such a result is precisely what would be expected theoretically. What are the qualities which are conducive to national wealth and prosperity? They are in the main a healthy and devoted people, well trained in boyliood and youth to discipline, order, cleanliness, punctuality, and tho spirit of co-opera-tion for common ends, ancWlast, but not least—in that habit of . mind which is accustomed to regard a duty as worth doing-well because it is a duty even though it bo not paid for. A nation thus trained cannot fail to produce good sound work, and, it may be added, excellent leaders of industry. We need not, however,' pursue tho subject further. Theory is confirmed by the facts, which wo could add to indefinitely, ” :

THE above is an ideal picture, which differs widely from tho fiefs as they appear in the countries where compulsory service is enforced. In Prance and Germany a cousiderble fraction of the population regard their period in tho army with feelings of oathiug and disgust. Such men arc j lot necessarily bad citizcua, but the] larsh and disagreeable surroundingg

of barrack life repel -them, and though they go through the necessary drill they would never make good soldiers. It is no usb attempting -to conceal such facts'as., those ana dwelling entirely on the advantages which might be produced under circumstances which are never likely to exist. The only object of compulsory service is to produce good soldiers, but it will be noted that the defence of the system, quoted above, i makes no reference whatever to its success or failure in this direction but merely gives it credit for preducing all sorts of virtues quite dis- | tine* "from military efficiency. .In ! the old days when armies went mt;-. 1 battle in close order it was possible 1 to drive unwilling soldiers to t.ie 1 attack by the knowledge that; the I officer behind them was just as likely to shoot them if they retreated as the enemy in front if they advanced. The nresent system of open order will however, provide far greater opportunities for skulkers who will b" ready enough to take cover when ordered to do so, but will be apt to remain there when directed to auvance, knowing that the officers are powerless to enforce a command when . tinder heavy fire. It would bo a low estimate to suppose that at least 10 per cent of a conscript army will cousist of men who intend to preserve their lives at all costs, and this state j of affairs will greatly reduce the efficiency of such forces. Britain is uot in danger of invasion by land, and therefore need not keep as large an army as Continental nations are compelled to maintain, but her regular force should consist of well trained and voluntarily enlisted men, who will bo ready and willing to risk their lives. All the other good qualities, such as cleanliness, punctuality, and the spirit of co-opera-tion can be obtained by other means and without pressing unwilling men into the service of the nation.