How I agree with S. Lamberton on National Service, a recently published Letter of the Week.

Why National Service in the first place? Certainly not to change the younger generation for the better, although this was a byproduct. 

The military needed to replenish men lost to them in WWII and when many others came back to their relieved homelands as heroes. The Metropolitan Police may also have needed to do this for similar reasons as you could also do National Service as a long-term Police Cadet. 

Need for fuel and food meant coal-mining and farm-working were amongst other things counting towards National Service. Eventually, National Service had become merely a habit of government. 

People running the forces would rather have concentrated on the nation’s defence. In 1960, the Conservatives were left with nothing but to abolish National Service.

S. Lamberton reminds us that equality demands women would also do National Service, but the recent phenomenon of girl-gangs shows why this would be a good thing. 

S. Lamberton also warns of possible legal battles to have people excused National Service. With a good reason, such as further education, it was delayed, but only up to the age of 21.

History teaches us that any policy for today shouldn’t be taken straight off the peg of the past. For example, we may want it to start an earlier age than the 17 it used to be. 

It also points towards a more suitable policy with the other things also counting towards National Service, not least long-term Police Cadet service. Taking us through recent history to today, there are the problems of not only attacks on the Police, but also on Paramedics, and the primitive fire-worship cult throwing at the Fire-Service. 

The emergency services and other public services would be more understood by this difficult minority if they had to serve in them for long enough. It would also give the privileged a chance to understand how the other half live. 

While there is nothing wrong with military service as an option, the emphasis should now be on working in the community rather than going to faraway countries of which most of us know little.

John Wilkes, The Paddock, Coseley.