CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17061, 14 August 1917, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

REDUCTION OF MILITARY AGE

FOR CONSCRIPTION.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The most startling piece of news we have had for some time is, that it is the alleged intention of the Government to reduce the age for conscription to 19 years. On first thought this starts a train of doubt in our minds as to whether we are really winning the war or not. Conscripting infants! The idea certainly leaves a bad taste in one's mouth, for from the beginning of the war we have been told that the best fighters were from 25 to 35 years of age and below or above that span of years they could not stand the strain of war. We have also been taught to believe that one of the surest signs of Germany's waning manpower was that she "was using lads of 19 and 20 years. Are we then to believe that our man power is waning? When we come to look closer into, the matter we find that it cannot correctly be said that it is, for of the First Division there is still a large number to be obtained by reexamination by, the Medical Board. That many mistakes were made by the Board on its first examinations seems to be proved by the fact that some of the strongest and healthiest lads in our town who have never needed medical advice and who have never lost a day's work through sickness have been turned down, while others who are always ailing and have been unable to do hard work for years have been passed as fit. Then there are a large number to be combed from Government departments and allegedly essential industries; there are many deserters to be caught and a number to be gleaned from the Roman Catholic Church in the' shape of theological students, Marist and Christian Brothers, etc., who, up to this, have received unjust preference at the hands of a benign Government. Every member of the First Division who is medically fit should toe the mark, whatever his creed or calling, before any member of the Second Division is called up, and at least the first three sections of the Second Division should before the matter of reducing the age is even thought of. Now, as there is apparently a large number of eligibles available before any serious thought need be given to reducing the age, one is led to ask why ?.s it that the Government has made up its mint* to reduce the age at this early stage. The reason must be a weighty one. What can it be? Now the weightiest consideration to a politician is to get back to Parliament at the next election, everything else hinges on that, so it is safe to say that this matter has to. do with that aspect, of politics. Now, what section of voters is being considered? Has the Second Division League convinced the Government that it will have to call on the wealth of this country to make suitable provision for the dependents of its members, and is the Government seeking means of avoiding hurting its wealthy supporters? Has the Catholic Federation convinced the Government that its support Is contingent on its sectarian teachers., student's, etc., being exempted. It is perhaps difficult to say, but it is certain that every parent should.move heaven and earth to see that every First Division eligible should fulfil his duty to his country and his King before mere lads, who have been shown by experience to be unable to stand the rfgors of campaigning, are sacrificed. What about a public meeting, Mr. Editor to discuss this matter, Yours, etc., AMOS. H.