National Service

When I heard that the Organisation to Halt Military Service, which successfully protested against the continuation of National Service in New Zealand, was holding a 50-year reunion I was sad.

Sad because it reminded me we lost our one opportunity to bring young men from all walks of life together and and teach them valuable life skills, teamwork, respect, responsibility and service to their country.

It broke down barriers between different groups in society. Everyone was equal. Everyone had to learn to work together for the common good.

Today’s society would be immeasurably improved if a form of National Service for all young people was introduced. Democracies such as Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Israel, Singapore and others have successful forms of National Service for 18-year-olds. Why can’t we?

John Robertson, Paraparaumu Beach