BADGES OF HONOUR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2693, 12 February 1916, Page 4

BADGES OF HONOUR

The decision of the Government to issue distinguishing badges to those men of military age who have served or offered to serve their country in the war is not only a just but a wise step. The intention for the present is to issue four distinct classes of badges, namely (1) for men who have enlisted and are awaiting the call to service, (2) for men honourably discharged after service, (3) for men who have offered to servo but who have been rejected as unable to fulfil Defence Department requirements, (4) for men willing to s'erve, bub who are required for special work in the Dominion. The suggestion has been made that in addition a badgo should' be given to the wives or to/tho mothers of soldiers who have enlisted for service; and this also is a matter to which the Government might well give favourable consideration. So far as the men themselves arc concerned, however, it is due to those of themwho are in our midst that recognition should be made of the fact that they have done their duty. It is unfair and unjust that they should be left in a position which rendei'3 them liable to be tho subject of unfavourable criticism as shirkers, and to be bracketed with those who have failed their country in its hour of trial. We know of many cases of young men who have enlisted, and while awaiting the call to the colours., have been subjected to unpleasantness because acquaintances were unaware of the fact that they had offered their services. A member of our own staff who enlisted some weeks ago and shortly afterwards married, received anonymous letters of a most offensive nature, based on the belief that he had entered into matrimony as an excuse to shirk his obligation.to serve. Public feeling regarding the able-bodied tie-free shirker is no doubt very strong, and much injustice is done in cases such as that quoted, and of course numerous others, because a man who has done his duty cannot go about telling everyone of it. The distinguishing badges, however, will sorve this purpose admirably. But they will also servo another purpose. -They will enable tho public to know the men who. have not yet come forward to do their duty. It may.bo said that injustice may still be done in cases where men have ties which prevent them offer- [ ing their services in the fighting ranks. This is true enough, but it is better that they should be left to 6xplain their position than that the men who have como forward should rest under the aspersion of having failed to do so. It is most desirable that those who are entitled to the badges should recognise that they are Badges of Honour, and that they should be worn on all occasions. It is indeed a patriotic duty to wear tliera, and we trust that all will see the importance of this. This is a point which those associated with tho recruiting movement might well take up and emphasise. What greater reproach to the slackers in a. room full of people could there bo than the presence of one or more of these wearers of a Badge of Honour'? It might be mentioned in this respect that_ His Majesty the King has specially requested that all who are entitled to wear the "armlets," as they are styled in England, should make a point of doing so as a proof to their fcllowcountrymcn of their readiness to serve their country. A request of this nature from the Kisg should meet with loyal response from those who have already no convincingly demonstrated thoi? loyalty and devotion to Kihq flfld counted _ _ *