STUDENTS IN ARMS
SIR,—May I express my appreciation of the letter by Mr. Smyth re Students in Arms, printed in your issue of July 6th, and the hope that, if the general view of the university authorities is similar to that expressed by him, they may be able to prevail upon the Ministry of Labour to modify their attitude. In a speech made some months ago, before the issue of the demobilisation scheme, Mr. Sevin, as Minister of Labour, stated: "Only out of sheer desperation did the Government stop the Arts courses at the universities. They must be started again as soon as possible. If men were released in such special categories, other men might have to be .called up to fill the gaps in the Services until the final demobilisation."
It appears then, that the Government once considered releasing Arts students who had been forced to interrupt their courses, but, in view of the difficulties, have deemed it sufficient to leave the poor unfortunates of the last two years in the unhappy position in which they have been placed by the misfortune of their year of birth, and allow those lucky enough to have been born one or two years later to take their places. Those students who have been called up now find themselves, in the main, in highly technical jobs, and their date of release is therefore likely to be postponed beyond that of others of the same release group. Are there not the facilities or the inclination to train others to replace us, or is there not sufficient sauce for both goose and gander?—Yours
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