REJECTED VOLUNTEERS

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15268, 3 May 1915, Page 7

REJECTED VOLUNTEERS

TO TUB EDITOR OV "'TIIE I'RESS." Sir,—l notice in your issue of thit morning that, of seventy recruits who presented themselves for examination on Tuesday, some twenty were unfortunate enough to be rejected as medically unfit. . The present critical situation in Europe, and the likelihood of a prolonged struggle there, roasee most ot us "t'eel that all our men should offer themselves for tho deieiuo of tho Empire, and there may soon arise a further feeling of disgust towards those who have not done no, unless "ood cause be shown. We know, Sir how unjustly many men have been treated in England through strangnrs not knowing tlio fact of their rejection !,v the medical officers, and it would bo regrettable ir such should happen here. There is no doubt about fhe willingness of the majority of our men, and if it can be avoided, it seems to mc unfair that willing \-olunteers who havo been rejected should have to remain in civilian life and risk being placed in the sa.mo c-ategory as the .shirkers, '»nd even possibly be open to the stigma of cowardice. There should be no good reason wbr the authorities c.uinot tome medrt that cm) be worn by these brave and willing, but unfortunate, rejects. .Members of the Citizens' Defence .Corps proudly wear their badges as an indication that they are willing to form a last line of defence, and surely thoso who havo offered themaejre.-? as the iirst iine Uiould have equal public notice. •Recruiting will be pushed on apace in I tho next fc.v weeks, and there wi>l doubtiess '>.-> many reject*, who would" prefer the world to know they are not anions the shirkers. J th ; nk. Sir. this ide.i is 01 o that jnight bear rr.iit, and that if help;*! along by your ablo advocacy, the authorities could be induced to take some ; such step I>oth in regard t<j past and I future rejects.

Since writing tlie aljove. I notice in morning's isMio that Mr Allen, at Dunedin. bas s.iid that ?'ie idea been n";ntio»ie<l t'> h)!u. Now that we knnw that tiic Cabinet ln< the thought I>efor»> them, if Mirely lieliovc «» to let- them f<^ , tbar tlie fo-re «f public Opinion In bc/liu'.l tliom —Ynur«. ot' , ., ■V. \VK'LS N'KW'rnx. .'S Mritt.-ui street. >f:iv 1..t, W\~>.