A WASTAGE OF MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2807, 27 June 1916, Page 6

A WASTAGE OF MEN

Sir,—ln an article published recently I read that "New Zealand has yet to provide an adequate allowance for dependants of soldiers who are fighting for the Empire." Now, I would like to know why tneii with, dependants are fighting, while in the camps are single fit men on the permanent staff, who enjoy soft jobs in' tho -Headquarters Offices, stores, Army Service Corps, and Medical Corps? Although they have no technical knowledge requiring previous training, inuuy of these receive stripes, which carry more pay, and they will probably stay in New Zealand until the end of the war, 'unless they go to a baso in Egypt or France, or secure a trip on a hospital ship out of tho danger-zone. Why not isalie a badge to distinguish tliese non-combatants? They would then be placed on their proper level in public esteem. When the war is over they will probably receive the same, or better,, treatment. as tho man who "has done his bit" in the firing line, and no doubt wear a similar medal. I have a wife and small family, and have often felt inclined to enlist, but after having worked beside a camp for a fow.months I have come to the conclusion that the time is not yet ripe for married men to go. Why should breadwinners go forward to tight for hearth and homo, and for the honour of our women, while eligibles repose, at homo in snug billets? Many a family is at a disadvantage to-day by reason of the breadwinner's patriotism. Yet physically fit young men are performing duties in camp which coidd easily bo performed by elderly or unfit men, or by 'returned soldiors. In' our military hospitals, for instance, strapping young men may be seen scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, etc., while others perform such onerous duties as carrying tea and cleaning boots for officers. The physique of these men may be gauged when we consider that they recently declared war on Masterton, and gave them an awful thrashing—at- Kugby football. Would they not be better employed in helping to thrash the Germans? Surely, in this hour of Britain's strain and stress, when every oligiblo map available is imperatively needed, and'urgent appeals are daily made through the English Press for medical orderlies to go and help our poor wounded fighters in tho hospitals in France, and now that older married men are being taken from thoir businesses, homes and,families in tho Old Country, it ill becomes the authorities to countenance-, even •fH an ■

hour, tlio retention of men such as these to undertake merely trivial domestic duties, [fudcr ,tuo existing condition ol publio feeling 'it would indeed bo in-, teresting to Jearn how many able-bodied single men, within the military age throughout New Zealand, are at present being retained and paid by our Uovernnient unnecessarily. What has the taxpayer- to say on the matter? lie who pays tho piper should call the tune. The married man costs more/than the single man, for New Zealand must "provide an adenylate allowance lor dependants ol soldiers who are fighting lor the Empire."—l am, etc., J.K.D. Featherston, June 21, 1916.