CLERGY AND THE BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2941, 29 November 1916, Page 4

CLERGY AND THE BALLOT

Sir, —On reading over the names of those, selected in the ballot, I notice tho names of three Roman Catholic priests selected, as against nono from other denominations. I suppose this may ho explained by the fact that tho Roman Catholic clergy do not marry, and therefore would all come under tho ; ballot of' tho First Division. I do not know whctlier the clergy are" exempted in this matter; if they are, then it seems a waste of time and money including them. If they are not exempted, then it is up to the "powers that bo" to practise a little of what they are preaching, namely, fairness to all denominations, and study this question '. a little more seriously than appears on sight at present.—l am, etc., CATHOLIC. Greytewn, November 25. ' [Tho clergy are not exempted by law, but the Minister of Defence has explained that applications for exemption made on their behalf to tho MiliBoards will naturally receive special consideration. All denominations are treated alike, thougli the Roman Catholic Church, for the reason stated by our correspondent, is likely to have moro of its clergy m the First Division than any other Church.]

heard! that thoy waited for tho single men to join first. This isn't tho timo to argue as to who should go. Tho man who loves his country will join up and go now. In my humblo opinion overy man is needed, married or single. Tt Is an easy thing to enlist to serve "when necessary," as "An Old Snort" claims to havo done. I. have had eleven months' service with tho Expeditionary Force, and I havo met plenty like him. Thero is always tho. chance that he may never get called up, Conscription is for the sluggards, and if "An Old Sport" is a sport, which 1 very much doubt, ho will not wait for other men to go before him; ho will go himself. If every man was of his opinion, thero would'He no married men volunteers.— I am, etc., EX-SOLDIER, Mangaroa.