VICTIMISING RECRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 67, 18 March 1916, Page 6

VICTIMISING RECRUITS.

A SERIOUS ALLEGATION. MADE HY THE MAYOR While most employers of labour in Auckland are acting fairly and generously by the men who leave their employ to join the colours, there is evidence, states the chairman of the local recruiting committee (Mr. J. H. Gunson) that a few are not only discouraging enlistment but are victimising the men who respond to the call. Alluding to this topic this morning, the Mayor stated that there couJd he absolutely no doubt that the majority of employers were rendering every possible assistance to .the recruiting committee in releasing their men. Many of the large firms were paying half-wages or making up the miiitary pay to the amount received by the recruit prior to enlistment. "This is all most commendable and patriotic, and undoubtedly is exercising a very large influence upon the recruiting returns."' declared the Mayor, ""for it is a considerable inducement to a man to enlist "hen he knows that those he leaves behind are amply provided for and his place will be kept open for him on his return. On the other hand, it has come to my notice on more than one occasion recently that employers of labour, some in a particularly big way. are doing all they can to prevent their men going to tho front. Doubtless much inconvenience and disorganisation to their business is caused, as it has been to many other firms who have encouraged their men to go. but I trust that this attitude will be quickly abandoned.

"One particularly bad case came under notice this week, where a man who enlisted at our Central Station last Saturday promptly received notice of dismissal for this week. Qualifying these remarks by my former statement that I am satisfied that the majority of employers are co-operating with the authorities and extending the utmost consideration to their employees. T would appeal to the others to fall into line and, even at the risk of dislocation of business and at the expense of personnl sacrifice, allow the men anxious to enlist to get away, treat them liberally in the matter of their pay, and keep their places open for them when they return."