TO YOUNG MEN

Te Puke Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 52, 11 July 1939, Page 3

TO YOUNG MEN

AN INSISTENT CALL

YOUR UNIFORM IS READY

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ACCEPT The call is Out for young men of the Dominion to enlist for the defence of the country. The Government of the .day is urging this with all the earnestness it can put into it. Why ? Because the shadow of war hangs brooding over the world. In spite of hopes that a peaceful solution of world difficulties can be found there is a steadily growing conviction that certain European powers wjll not be satisfied until -they have plunged the world into war. '

And this time if war comes New Zealand may not be immune. What thenwill an invftder find his task easy because lie will unly. be confronted- by a disorderly rabble, or will he find that a trained army, versed in the use of modem arms stands grimly determined t'.at he shall not pass.

That is why every man in this Dominion is being urged to train. It is no use in the world waiting for war to come before deciding to join up. Men who wait till then will only be a hindrance instead of a help. The trained men will count because they will know the meaning of discipline and cohesion. The Position in Te Puke In’ Te Puke many young Lave already answered the call to their eternal sredit. But there are many more who are wavering. They feel it is giving up a few hours of leisure, that drill and instruction and discipline are irkcome things—and anyhow the other fellow is doing it so why should he be bothered.

But that is not facing reality. The young man who to-day shirks behind his more determined brother, is da mg so because he has refused to look at facts in the face. Has he a mother, a sister or sweetheart? If not for himself then, is he not entitled to tram to defend them—his own women folk, his own kith and kin. Can any young man in Te Puke stand up and say publicly that he would not fight to the last ounce of his blood that his womenfolk should be spared the horrors of war? If he looks back over the. history of his own family he must see that his ancestors were made of sterner stuff. Call lie let them down.

When a man insures a building 'against fire, he hopes and prays that a fire may never come, but he is prepared if it does. So when a man trains for defence, he does not do it believing war is inevitable, but if it does come he will not be a babe in the use of arms. Heed the Call It is the earnest request of the Government that men in Te Puke will hear this call to arms. Join up, and learn that life is fuller and more joyous in the knowledge that you are being trained, so that if danger does threaten you can manfully do your bit. For after all, military training is not irksome, or tedious or dull. On the contrary it adds a zest to life, makes oru physically and mentally alert, develop? keenness and comradeship and, last but not least builds character. The Long View

Supposing the waverer takes the long view and thinks that if war did actually come, death might be his position. What then? Throughout the long his-. Tory of the British race men have glad!, given their lives, tor_as Kipling •says*... “Who stands if freedom falls, who dies if England lives.” Substitute if you like New Zealand for England, and you have tlie- meaning. But if timidness should be the reason for not joining up, think of good old Horatio in Macauley’s poem who, before going into battle, and knowing that he might not come out again said: “And can man. die better, Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the temples of his gods.”

So young man the call is definitely out. Will you answer it? Will yon train? Will you prove your manhood, yolu love of country, your home and your loved ones. Then join up !