VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 24056, 21 February 1940, Page 9

VOLUNTARY SERVICE

To The Editor Sir, —I read a letter from “Returned Soldier” in your issue of February 16 congratulating Mr Denham on his speech about voluntary service. Does “Returned Soldier” think it is right that today in Southland more than 100 married men with wives and families have joined up? Would it not be much more in the interest of the country and of these soldiers’ families if the hundreds of single men who are to be seen round our dance halls on a Saturday night were called on first? In this war everyone has a duty to his country, but why should the women and children have to carry the burden, when there are thousands of single men yet available? “Returned Soldier” goes on to say that this agitation for conscription is engineered by the Press and the National Party. Has he just returned from some internment camp in Germany that he does not know that a large majority of Labour supporters are in favour of conscription? Does he not know that the executive of the . New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association voted in favour of conscription and carried the resolution unanimously; also that the same resolution was carried by 100 per cent, of votes at a meeting of the Southland executive; also that remits have been passed in favour of conscription by practically every sub-association? Of the Empire countries apart from Britain Australia has conscription for home service and each man is trained at least to defend his home if the necessity arises. “Returned Soldier” says he is not a supporter of the Labour Party and in his letter he refers to the Nationalists as his opponents. Therefore, as there are only three parties in this country, we must’>class him as a communist. If this is so I do not see how he can support the present voluntary system. The great majority of enlistments today are those of workers—7o per cent, of them from the country. Under the present system the farmer and his sons are exempt; this also applies to a man and his sons in business. Now, sir, under conscription every man would be called up and classified. His case would be judged on its merits, and if a farmer or a business man had more sons than his industry warranted they would have to go to the war. Those exempted in sheltered industries should be made to contribute their surplus money to purchase arms for the defence of this country, and even then their sacrifice would be very small in comparison with that of those who have gone overseas. In conclusion I am sorry to see “Returned Soldier” bringing politics into his letter. I agree with him that the Labour Party is loyal to the Mother Country and is carrying out its military obligations. However, I would like to see all young men being trained for home or overseas defence, as in Australia today. “Returned Soldier’s” attack on Mr Hamilton is ridiculous. I, as well as others in the community know that Mr Hamilton has never been approached to assist the Government in the defence councils of New Zealand. Also Mr Hamilton has to receive permission from the Government to broadcast and he is denied the privilege of speaking that is enjoyed by Mr Savage every Sunday night. Mr Hamilton would be only too pleased to work hand in hand with Mr Savage in the defence of the country.—Yours, etc., SERVICE FIRST. February 19, 1940.