CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 8

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

RECRUITING AND JOBS. (To tlio Editor.) During tlio last week or so we havo had wlint can only 'ho described as a •flaring attempt to shelve responsibility. In this X refer to the "Westfield case." Here Ave have a. very honourable body of men, with brains enough to think, with courage enough to act, and with admirable prompting!! tovrarcl thoir duty to their country. What reception has this met with? As I see it, this is the position: They can resign their respective jobs—to enlist. If they do so there will lie lio responsibility on their employer (o reinstate on their return from active service. Thus (he legislation brought down for their protection is side-tracked. Xot only is this 1)0(1)' of men faced with this alternative, but young 111011 in other jobs. From careful inquiry and recent experience tlicro is cvideneo of what appear to be delilierato attempts, not only in private business but in thr Civil Service, to force young won desirous of enlisting to resign their positions before they can do so. It is high time a list was published setting out the reserved occupations; an,]" equally so, that State and private employers distribute amongst their staffs intimation of their willingness to alluwtliem to enlist and reinstate them on their return. Indeed, this should be published, authoritatively, in the Press, in the meantime there can only remain rumour, dissatisfaction and" general slackness in the greatest task now facing us. We need much mole assurance than we have that personal convenience is uot being placed tirst. XROOI'EK.