CONSCRIPTION FAVOURED

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4231, 15 January 1940, Page 5

CONSCRIPTION FAVOURED

VOLUNTEERING SYSTEM CONDEMNED “IT FAILED LAST TIME AND WILL FAIL AGAIN” Maintaining that New Zealand’s contribution to the war could never be successful under voluntary enlistment, members of the Raglan County Council at*a special meeting in Raglan strongly advocated the introduction of conscription. It was stated during the course of the discussion that the present system of recruiting was discouraging many young men from offering their services. Several of the speakers maintained that it was bound to fail.

The question was brought up when Mr H. Johnstone gave a report of the proceedings at the recent meeting held in Hamilton, prior to the launching of a recruiting campaign in the South Auckland area. “Personally, I consider voluntary enlistment will prove a complete failure and the sooner thait is realised the better,” said Mr Johnstone. “Of course the Government has committed itself to carry the scheme out on a voilunary basis, that being a matter of policy. So far as the conscription of wealth is concerned it Iseems that has already been executed by the Government. Besides, I don't think there is anybody with money in this country who wants to nrofit from the war, but to carry it to a successful conclusion.”

Similar Viejws to those expressed by Mr Johnstone were stated by the chairman, Mr H. W. Wilson, who said there was only one thing to do. i.respective of the Government in office, if the Dominion’s effort in the war were to be really worth while. That was to introduce conscription. CHAIRMAN’S WILLINGNESS ■ “I am not prepared to canvas my ridi f O r volunteers, and it is no use setting up a committee to encourage enlistments if this present system prevails,” commented Mr Wilson. “The voluntary scheme failed here last tim? and it will fail again. If I were eligible I would offer my services willingly. I volunteered for service in the Great War and got away and nolw I am prepared to do my bit in some capacity in the present conflict.” Some of the speakers referred to the fact that many young men would not object if conscription were introduced. What they weire not prepared to do was to volunteer, sacrifice their occupations, and go away while others could stay behind and benefit from their patriotism. It was only right that the nation as a body should make a contribution to the war effort. Already many in essential industries were being taken in spite of the Government’s pledge that it would retain men who were v tally needed in civilian life at this time. A large number of those taken was from the farms.