C1-MARRIED MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 28, 27 October 1917, Page 6

Cl-MARRIED MEN

Sir,—l am glad to see that the matter of the CI married men is being taken up by several of your correspondents, and also by Mr. Ji'C'iilhiiii, SI.P., and members of the House. There are many

married men in the First Division who are now classed CI, some, of whom have ono or two children, and consequently heavy responsibilities. The chances are tUat Home, or most, of these men will go into tho CI camp, and before doing so will havo to make arrangements in connection with their respective businesses, awl An many cases make sacrifices of those businesses ii]>on which they at present rely in order to maintain their families. The chances are also that many of these men will not stand, the test, and will be thrown back to civilian life. 'This will mean not'only an additional burden on the Stato, but also a great iujustico to themselves and their families. This applies especially to lite ntLMi originally classed C 2. Any man now married— especially if he has a family— who was originally classed C 2 should not be sent into this CI camp. At best there is only a possibility of his becoming fit, and there is a probability against this contingency.

In reply to Mr. M'Callum a few days ago, Sir James Allen said that lie hud nndcr consideration the question of repealing tlio clause in the Military Service Act, 191G, relating to, men married since April, 1915, and stated further that he did not think that there was any necessity for that clause now. I trust that Iwfore the session ends ho will do so. There- are men in thn CI camp now— married men—who will never get any further. Their being thsrs has upset domestic, households, ruined businesses, and been an expenso to tlio State, and what will bo tho result?—only a small percentage of them will be of any use as soldiers and be able to stand the strain—especially that portion of them over, say, S3 years of age.

I hope and trust, sir, that you will consider the matter of such importance that before' the session ends you. will give some notico to it in your valuable leader space.—l am, etc.," EFFICIENCY. October 25, 11)17.