A PLEA FOR SO-CALLED "SHIRKERS."

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2801, 20 June 1916, Page 6

A PLEA FOR SO-CALLED "SHIRKERS."

Sir,—How often we see the announcement that such and. such Reinforcement mustered so many short, and how often we hear the truants termed "shirkers." Permit me lo show the truants are not always to blame. An employee gets permission. to enlist, and also to say. when he is prepared to go into camp, When the latter time arrives the employer suddenly decides he cannot spare him, aud much to the recruit's disgust forces hiin to remain. If the employers were doing everything possible to enable their men to,get away (which many are doing), no dissatisiactioii would result, but such is not the case in some oftae banks, financial institutions, etc. One bank clerk waited six months for his turn, and was then told he would have to wait another five months, which lie declined to do, so was forced to resign. There lire a' number of promising young men' in this town' who have been , asked tor their resignations simply because they heeded their'country's'call'and wanted to get away,.while, others away on active'service, and those about to "join the colours; have been' penalised in other waysjor merely beiiig patriotic. Many clem are termed'cat-, lons, but they are not nearly so callous as many, managers, who are neither offering for service nor adequately buying exemption. We all know- everyone >cannor be spared to go,: but why give "permis-' sion" and agree time in the first' place to those who wish to do their duty, only to withdraw the same, and have the men(unless they forfeit their positions, etc.) termed "shirkers."—X am, • etc., ; SYMPATHISE]?.