PROBLEM OF SHIRKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 9

PROBLEM OF SHIRKERS.

PROPOSAL BY MERCHANTS.

CARDS FOR VOLUNTEERS.

GUIDE TO EMPLOYERS

Tire desirability of ascertaining who have . notified their ■willingness to volunteer for | service in an Expeditionary Force, or to' serve in some civil capacity at home, was : emphasised by Mr. A. B. Roberton at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday after- ! . noon. Mr. Roberton proposed the follow- L ing motion :—" That the Government be! I requested to issue registration cards to all ; j those registering as willing to serve their : j country, such cards to show (1) name of I the person volunteering ; (2) age ; (3) j I whether volunteering for active service or | i civil work or both ; with a view to en- i i ablins: employers, when engaging em- i | payees, to discriminate in favour of those | who are willing to do their share in serv- > line their country and Empire." j Mr. Roberton stated that it possibly might not have occurred to the Govern- ! ment that such a card would be useful. ! It would at least let " shirkers" see that employers generally were going to give, preference to those who had expressed their willingness to volunteer if calledupon. Mr. G. L. Peacocke. in seconding the motion, said that while some could explain their refusal to serve, he had no • doubt that conscription would have to' be introduced before many of those i eligible to serve could be induced to do so. | Other members of the council supported i the motion, which was carried unanim- I ously.