Rejected Recruits.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15268, 3 May 1915, Page 6

Rejected Recruits.

A correspondent, whose letter appears in another column, makes a suggestion that recruits who have been rejected for active service on medical grounds should be given a badge or medal to wear. The same proposal has been strongly urged by the London "Specj " tator," but so far as wo are awaro it has not yet been adopted by tho British Government. It is, of course, only fair that young men who havo volunteered for the front and been rejected should not be confused in tho public mind with young men of military age who might very well go but who are deficient in the pluck and patriotism which havo impelled so many to offer their services. One objection which has been Taiscd to the "Spectator's" proposal is that such medals would become marketable., and might be got hold of by the shirkers. For our own part wo shouid not like to see medals and badges overdone. It must bo remembered, moreover, that there are cases of young men of military age, who would bo passed by the doctor 3 but who have other valid reasons for not going. Wo might take, as an example, a sou supporting a widowed mother. We certainly think, however, it would be a proper and a just proceeding if each recruit rejected on

medical grounds were given a certificate to that effect. Such, a document made-

out in tho naxno of tho recruit would not lend itself to misuse as a medal might do, but would be a sufficient answer for all time if he were asked why he did not go to the war in which so many young New Zealanders played a glorious part.