CLERGY AND THE SHIRKER.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15463, 16 December 1915, Page 8

CLERGY AND THE SHIRKER.

CONDEMNATION FROM THE PULPIT. Some strong remarks about shirkers and the position disclosed in tho National Register returns were made from more than one Auckland pulpit yesterday (says the Auckland "Star"" of Monday). Preaching at St. Matthew's Church last night, tho Rev. Jasper Calder declared that he, for one, was staggered and utterly ashamed when he read that there were 34,000 peoplo in New Zealand who would not volunteer for military or even civil work in connexion with tho war. He had tried all along to believe that tho only reason why young men did not volunteer was that they failed to realise the seriousness ot the situation. Now it was plain that they hung back from deliberate choice. He was simply astounded. "If I had my way," said the preacher. "I would not only put a heavy tax on these men, but If 1 -were an employer I would refuse them work. If a man admitted to mo that he was able to go and would not, I wouldn't give him an hour's work." A thoroughly able-bodied man came to him a few days before, added Mr Calder, and asked for assistance in getting a job. A gorse-cutting job was found j for him. and he said he was prepared j to accept it. The speaker then asked him. '"Whore are your wife and kid-j dies?*' "Oh," he answered, "I'm. a single man." Ho was very promptly a.?ked whv he wasn't in khaki, and replied. "It's against my principles to light." "Well," ho was told, "it's against my principle.* to got you the job."

LOCAL CAMPS. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE TKESS." Sir, —There is, of course, much to be said for and aguinst local camps. But solar neither Mr Allen nor his advisers hav,? given a good reason against. One of the reasons against a local camp is lack of instructors. This is not flattering to the Territorial i'orre and the Staff instructor* in the different districts. Some tune ago Mr Allen- in excusing Territorials v,ko stayed at home, said some were wanted" to instruct the Territorials: l>ut Mr Allen's excuse now falls flat. The Territorials who enlist must bo trained at Trenthani, and we need not bother to spend money on those who can't or won't enlist. —Yours, etc., SCOTICTS.