A TRAVESTY OF PATRIOTISM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3008, 20 February 1917, Page 6

A TRAVESTY OF PATRIOTISM

THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT AND. EXEMPTIONS. Sir,—The consideration shown by the Third Wellington Military Service Board to the Railway Department m granting exemptions to May 1 to hny men/is surprising. Has. this hoard overlooked the remarkable evidence given by Mr. W. Hales, of the District; Traffic Managers office, when his case was before another Military Service BoaTd some two months ago?. MrHales admitted that in the Wellington district alone an enormous number ot trams could be dispensed with if races, shows, and excursions were discontinued, or greatly curtailed. Since then sharp comments have been made by. different boards on the Departments • action in continuing these services, tali nothing has been done, and noiv the District Traffic Manager calmly asksi for another three months to enable the Department and the Government trf formulate a policy! It seems a travesty of patriotism to hold eligible men back! to engage in duties such as loading and returning racehorses to their owners free- of charge. Ordinary passenger traffic is interfered with on race days, and carriage of livo stock is also interrupted. I know of a case this week of seven trucks of live stock being delayed through non-arrival of trucks, the excuse given being the Dannevirke Show, but probably the Woodville races had more to do with it. Such shows and races should bo cut out in these times— , even the great Scottish National Show, 1 the Highland Society's, is not to be held this year, and if the Government aud the Railway Department folloirert the path of duty and refused special train services for such gatherings iher would soon come to an end.here, and many more men would be released tor the war, and the finger of scorn could no longer be pointed at the Government and the Department.—l am, etc., WIN THE WAR. February'l6.