CAUSE AND EFFECT RE ENLISTMENT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1915, Page 10

CAUSE AND EFFECT RE ENLISTMENT

10 THB EDITOR. Sir, — I am assured that many more men would enlist if something like generous treatment was dealt out to them by their employers. I know of many firms who were generous and far-seeing enough to allow their employees who went to the front half pay, and a promise of their billets when they returned ; but, unfortunately, all are not so generous or so far-seeing. I need only mention one case in point, where four men informed their employers (a large New Zealand importing firm) that they wanted to enlist, and enquired how the firm would treat them. They were informed that no half pay would be allowed, but their billets, if they should ieturn, would be open to them. They then pleaded for quarter pay, but that even was denied them. As two of these men were married and the others supporting their mothers, it can well be understood that without the assistance asked for, these men were debarred from enlisting. The employer should recognise that these men, when at the front, are even more his employees than if they remained at their desks ; for are they not his representatives at the seat of War, fighting and risking their lives for the very existence of their employer's business, hearth, and home ? Employers should do everything possible to encourage enlistment by making tho men feel that those they are leaving behind shall not want. By so doing they will assist the opinion expressed by Lord Kitchener, that "Men and munitions of war alone are required to speedily terminate the struggle." Are the employers doing their share? — I am, etc.. NOT ALL. [It may be that the employer has nob the means to enable him to comply. It would not be patriotic to help with other people's money.]