Six,—Lately many letters for and against the Conservative Party's Compulsion
for Youth plan have appeared in your columns. These letters have for the most part been written by those whose days of youth have long since passed. I feel, Sir, that it is time that youth had some say in the matter, and it is for this reason that I write.
It has been said that youth-lacks. enthusiasm and is not community- conscious enough ; this miy be true, but surely it is obvious. that no amount of compulsion will make the rising generation more-enthusiastic or community-conscious. In fact, Sir, .is is probable that if this scheme were to come fully into force it would do nothing- more than embitter many thousands of youths against the land in which they live and those who govern it.
It is not the fault of youth that it has no enthusiasm ; no, it is the fault of the ruling party, the Conservatives. They realise this and are trying to make amends by drastic and foolish methods. What right have they, Sir,. to control a person's leisure hours? Are those hours not his for him to do. what be likes in them? Ar,r we not fighting force? If we are, why are we using the enemy's methods? Force is no good,. force cannot work. How true is the old saying: " You can lead a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink." And so it is with youth, Sir.
Cannot those who are in authority think of some better plan, or have they tried to do so and failed? Is this scheme an admission of their
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