The Southland Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1939. Recruits for Second Echelon

Southland Times, Issue 24002, 18 December 1939, Page 6

The Southland Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1939. Recruits for Second Echelon

ON Friday night the Minister of Defence made an appeal for recruits for the second echelon of the special military force. Once again no mention was made of conscription, and there now seems little doubt that the Government is determined to persist with the voluntary system, in spite of the fact that its inadequacy and unfairness have become painfully apparent. “Service with the forces involves sacrifice,” said Mr Jones, “but the Government has always believed the necessary sacrifice would be made when the need was known.” Members of the first echelon have indeed shown a capacity for sacrifice which entitles them to the respect of decent people throughout the Dominion. But they are a comparatively small group and since they enlisted three months ago their number has not been increased by anything more than a thin stream of recruits. Indeed, the reluctance of young men to enlist has been so marked that it is difficult to believe the needs of the situation have been generally realized. A great part of the responsibility for an attitude that still remains close to apathy undoubtedly rests with the Government, which continues to withhold a direct encouragement from men eligible for service. Excellent conditions have been provided in the military camps, and there is an obvious willingness to rectify mistakes and to watch the welfare of the troops. But the political leaders seem to regard this as a sufficient contribution: they are doing nothing which could be described as part of a recruiting campaign. The Prime Minister is giving a series of Sunday night broadcasts during which he talks of everything except the military aspect of the war effort. Even last night, two days after the Minister of Defence had asked for men to fill the ranks of the second echelon, Mr Savage made no appeal for recruits.

The, Essential Facts

Apparently the Government’s intention is to provide the organization and then to sit back and leave the people to decide for themselves on the vital question of national service. This method contrasts noticeably with the Government’s general policy, which leaves small room for private decisions on economic and financial matters. It need not be surprising, therefore, if many New Zealanders take their cue from the Government and remain inactive. But this is unwise. The Labour Party’s view of conscription does not alter the general background of the war. If the initiative has been left to the people they can best serve their country by facing the facts as they have been presented to them by British statesmen, by leaders of the British Labour Party and by the evidence of events in the past three months. Hope is dwindling that the war will end quickly: Russia’s intervention in the Baltic is one more sign that the world has entered a time of conflict. There is no longer anything to be gained from argument about the causes of the struggle. The plainest fact is that the British Commonwealth is at war, and if Britain were defeated the security of the Pacific Dominions would vanish overnight. It is not always easy to recognize danger at a distance; but New Zealanders who have passed with alert minds through the crises of recent years can find no rational excuse for believing that war affects them only when an enemy draws near their own coasts. The special military force is going overseas to defend this country, and those who remain behind must now ask themselves if they are free or ready to take their place with men who have recognized their duty. ,