THE AGE FOR RECRUITS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 22, 20 August 1917, Page 5

THE AGE FOR RECRUITS.

(To the Editor ‘‘Stratford Post.”) Sir, —Since the first rumour anent the calling-, up of youths of 19 years, I have eagerly scanned the pages of your paper'for a definite statement; by the National Government. And as no denial of the truth of the rumour has been vouchsafed it occurs to mo that we .as a community, may be losing valuable time in not at once calling meetings of protest and in all other conceivable ways making it clear to the authorities that we do not / desire boys of nineteen .sent to the front. In my opinion, .not one nineteen-year-old boy in ten is tough enough* to stand the racket—his constitution is not sufficiently ; set—he could not see it out no matter ‘how willing. One of the dangers ahead may lie in the rumour that the hoys wili be left to decide for themselves. This must not be allowed, for I fear (and, such is the esteem in which I hold the Wbvsi. hope) they would all toe the line. Herein lies danger, and we who are older and know the boys are not hard enough for the job, also well know it is not a question on which they are competent to arrive at a mature decision. Will not some of your leading townsmen move in the matter? Thinking you for space.la, "- etC y J. 6. FALWBR. • August ibth, 191 <. ,