THE REAL SHIRKERS—WELL OFF MARRIED MEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9247, 14 January 1916, Page 2

THE REAL SHIRKERS—WELL OFF MARRIED MEN

To the Editor "N.Z. Times." Sir,—l congratulate your conespondenx "Mother" on her .letter in your issue o> yesterday. She has opened a question which should bo thorougnly thresaed out and it is a pity that her letter is not published in every paper in the Dominion. These "squaw men" should be pushed until through very shame (Ihougn it looks as if that commodity is not in their kite) they tako their They are self-confessed shirkers as with the exception of a few who are physically unfit tne public know their financial position, whereas in ordinary oases you :&xi give a man tho benefit of the doubt about his dependents! I would point out to "Mother" that the country does not house all these gentlemen, many of tham are to be found in the towns. JVTien listing them you will find that very few have ever shown any signs of being producers, etc.—most of them living on what their fathers have made before them. There are jobs for all ol these if they are healthy and under fifty, but these "squaw men" will only offer their services when they are assured of the date when tho war will end. By the way, where is the Sports Protection league in the recruiting campaign? They might well make a staTt on the 1 "squaw men" at the coming Wellington t race meeting.—l am, etc., 1 FATHER-IN-liA-W. I Wellington, January 13th. ' To tho Editor "N.Z. Times." ! Sir,—The real shirkers—well-off mar- , ried mem. One of the most sensible letters that has been written, on the ques- ' tion of reoruiting_ is that of "Mother' in this morning's, issue. , I It is no us* blinking the question, but until public opinion gets so strong that the Government will not-be ablo to resist the bringing in of conscription, tho shirkers are having a good time I know many married mem of wealth who have no children, others who hav, and therefore there is nothing for them to 'fear in going to the front, but ths getting shot, who ought to, but do not. J enlist. There are hundreds of their own standing in this country who have gone. I am glad to say that there cxe men and. women who are among the swells whose sons have earned the respect of all, and the sympathy of all right thinking for them in tho losses they' have' sustained b.v the deaths of their only, and in some oases, of no less than three and four eons. I am glad to be able to say, and it speaks well for the working classes who have come forward, as "all rignt feeling men in whatever claw they belong should, that they have not eaid an unkind word against the tofts for their sons not joining the Tanks. How hundreds of these who stand in the streets and watch the recruits, pass by can refrain from stepping into their ranks beats me. I did not think mat there were so many voung men who tre cowards at heart, and love nothing but a life of ease and dissipation. "An amusing yarn is going the rounds about the doings of some of those rich young shirkers when at a race meeting not long ago, and it only Shows how Ihe love of getting one better on each other where the dibs are concerned. These sharp individuals hoard that certain others intended to bid at a. sale of racehorses. They interviewed the seller and purchased, then sold to the intending purchasers at a profit. Not bad for the toffs Jo be so smart, but money makes the

The Government, but more especially the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence, eyre evidently frightened to bring in conscription. which is undoubtedly the proper thing, and would specially afleot the rich shirker. They are frightened of the voting at the next general election, as unfortunately the votes of the shirkers are the moat numerous. Surely the members who have joined the Reform Government in order to assist, but really to keep them in office, 'should straight-out insist upon—if it is i necessary—Parliament' being called to paes a measure ior oomscriDtion. 1 The result will be that if conscription is not brought in the next general elecIthe Reform Government, as even shirk- , tione will result in the loss of seats to era, like worms, will turn. A lot of , useless work has been done in preparing rolls and other foolery, which could have been caved if the matter had been boldly faced. —I am, etc.", IN STACPATHY WITH MOTHER.