If we do not provide them for service in the European spring inevitably the war will be much longer prolonged.
I should like to see the British Government compel all suitable men who are unmarried to enlist at once, and the colonial Governments to do the same.
They may yet be forced to do this, but it would be better done without running the risks of delaying or waiting for volunteers.
Besides, whilst volunteers are all right, why should so many others who will not offer their services reap the unearned benefits that will accrue to them.
The cry of either Government or employers that they cannot spare any more men is insufficient answer in the present great crisis.
There are plenty of retired men able to do a good amount of work yet who can be made use of in the meantime.
My age is 60, but I am willing to help, and many more no doubt would do so as letter-carriers, etc. - I am, etc. Britisher.
• Sir, - Regarding the issue of meals for the forces I may say that I have one boy away in troopship No. 12, who, writing to me from Albany, had no complaint to make.
He enjoyed the camp life ashore, and the voyage across the Tasman Sea.
Another boy of mine is in camp at Trentham, and in his letters he says he gets good food and plenty of it.
I have talked with about 20 other fathers who have received letters from their sons, and they all tell me their boys are satisfied with their treatment on board the troopships.
As a father I love my boys, and trust they will come back safe, if not I can only say, ''God's will be done''.
If I had been young enough I would have been away myself.
I am proud of my boys for having the pluck to go to the front, instead of being cowards, as I consider all able-bodied young men are who do not respond to the call, when the nation's life is at stake. - I am, etc. Father of two boys for the front.
• Mrs Hudson, of Nelson, has four sons serving with the British forces in different parts of the Empire (says the Colonist).
Mr Philip Hudson, who was completing his medical course in England, volunteered for service at the outbreak of the war, and was drafted to the navy.
He is at present surgeon in charge of the torpedo boat destroyer Laurel, which took a prominent part in the Heligoland right engagement.
Mr Charles Hudson volunteered from Brisbane, and joined one of the engineer corps with the main Australian Expeditionary Force.
Mr Athol Hudson, who is the three miles running champion of New Zealand, went with the advance party to Samoa, and Mr William Hudson, who was in England, volunteered for service and joined one of the infantry regiments.
Mrs Hudson has reason to be proud of her sons.
• A number of South Canterbury residents, including Messrs Elworthy, Tripp, and Studholme, have offered the Defence Department their services to recruit 100 men for garrison work in Samoa (says the Lyttelton Times).
They themselves have offered to go as privates.
The intention is to recruit the men, and hand them over to the department to equip and train. - ODT, 2.12.1914.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
