NEED FOR RECRUITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15931, 31 May 1915, Page 10

NEED FOR RECRUITS.

Sir;— The problem of the " Shirker 1, and how to make him ,face his. manifest responsibilities has given food lot much - serious thought of late, and still r*.man a »a problem. I have a suggestion which, A feel sure, all right-thinking people wfll 5 accept as being both practical and just. " 'All men of military having no family 4 to support— be made to maintain the families of men who have volunteered "to serve their country. This would set free countless numbers ol eager ybung men who are now unable to leave mother, tor wife, or child unprovided for, and at 'the same time it ould lift a great burden -Ufl the Charitablo Aid Board, and the many relief funds that have been organised '.as a consequence of tho war. I- '*** it " would be worse than useless to aend th<i : -. shirker" to the front, but he can bo made to face the music in some otherway; his money is as good as another s, and with this money he should bo compelled to support r family. Charlotte M. Grey.

Strong utterances have • been made by various public men condemning the attitude of tingle men in failing to hear (ho call of duty and offer themselves for active service. While in hearty agreement with the utterances of the various •gentlemen who have given their views 'expression, I desire to point out that many young men have been placed in a • particularly painful position . inasmuch as they have offered themselves for service and have been rejected on the grounds of medical unfitness. These men are, apparently, in robust hea"h and are the daily victims of the gibes and hints and reproaches .' of their acquaintances and friends. Surely it would be an easy matter to issue a certificate of exemption. Another matter ; i tho rejection of men on account of delective teeth, others who require to undergo hospital treatment for .varicose veins, etc. If the country call ! is so urgent, surely it would be good policy to jive these men free treatment to fit them for 6prvice. In conclusion, I might, mention that there seems to be a

feeding that the medical test is too exacting. and severe. In my place of business there are three men who, in general physique. are -well above the average, yet .their services have been refused. V "p - Pro Patria. ?. Sir,—The Hon. James Alien is reported ■•'as saying: "I think the urgency is so great now! that even a married man must ;rnaki aerifies for the defence of th© Empire," meaning that they should join the forces. If it was necessary no doubt they , : would do 10, but when" they see hundreds of single men in every way suitable c /for enlistment;/-being encouraged by the' Government to shirk, of course - they very i tightly hold back. Mr. Allen says that : : ; ., he - hopes those who are interested in recruiting will see that all thofe who ought -.Vvtyi enlist do'- so, especially.' all unmarried , moil without dependents. Then why does V--tiia' Government at the present time give \ "employment to hundreds of men on public -, . works ; who should now bo thinking of ;. ;iS going into - camp? There are ; quite ■■■■■■ enough men over. the age limit, Mid other-; : wise rejects, who could : carry; on. ; and if the.se men will: not -answer! their country's call \I think it high time the 'Government , ceased to assist, them ; undoing ■ so.' When the -- Government • have done their ; part I ;v> don't think the majority of married' men \ ; will hold back. - Surely the New Zealant I •• Government %is J not | afraid |to t «!o>-whiA >v;private employers in England!did month* .. ago? If ; they, are, although :IJ am one of -• their .' supporters, I must say that they will show pre&t weakness. M Sep Ex-S&msn I Gbbnaoiee GUABDS^I w\m m —_ym l M * Sir,—BeliVyiug as I do that' the time lias i.'arrived when t every ounce' of effort, should . bo put forth by every.man, young and old; rich 'and -poor, married and single, to keep : . the glorious old flag flying, I venture the ■ following ' "suggestions :—l. ;T!iat * from j amongst the many bale and hearty men of -leisure, retired professional, commercial, : fsnning. and other • gentlemen, volunteers .. be called for. to fill ?ppointminte ill banks, miner- • ■ houses, '/railways;-.-.-Post J and Telegraph Depart,meats, ; ; tram' and ferry- . ■ services, i etc., n thus releasing young fit for the : Expeditionary.; Forces. 2. ''-AH - guch volunteers ,to be 'willing to 'make over ogtM the. Belgian aH -Patriotic; Fundß any remuneration * for .heir services, minus a y email - sum < for out-of pocket expenses in |j| travelling, etc . in the case of, men who' ;•$ cannot afford .t> .C am convinced thai * V? great many | patriot?; J m<si would eagerly answer sqcfya calL ' 3. That the troops ic , . Samoa and employed -in guarding interned enemy: subjects he ; replaced by,: men pa«t> 4|tt /jr service age, vho have had previous > rjuitary ' fining. .if '«• r. in the regular or • volunteer forces. 'i'te is the one and! on!y n-.» ortunity for good tbab the Nations! Revw Will have. Thei ff|titie|w|>» misiomc', .>wt permits men to shelter, ditas f _ .<;ime that all young' I:S and fit men who have "side-steppe;?" their dtjty to thtir country l«y joining the Ntu tional erve should bo reminded of their responsibilities. The ykV that they Jg married is • only an addi. ; onal; reason) j that they ' should fight, in 3 a war of : ex- ; j C:i termination, as thi*; really is, for all i the; 1 < ;"hold; dear ti' them. No snch; excuse is of- ' ,4; fered or allowed - in 1 other countries. • If - influential men would take up the matter, the recruiting difficulty would vanish, ; and 0 New ; Zealand, , would be enshrined for ever in the annals J of : the ; greatest •' world /war fiver waged in the ill tori . j of liberty, civi- ._. lisation, and humanity.. Asn-Hux. " T . ? -i't-r .ty&'.C ft"