RECRUITING AND SNOBBERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23849, 1 July 1939, Page 24

RECRUITING AND SNOBBERY

The other side of the picture in the matter of recruiting trade unionist companies, which was recently turned down officially in New Zealand, comes from Plymouth, in England. The Junior Chamber of Commerce there are trying to form a volunteer regiment exclusively for business and professional men. Plymouth wants its own rifle brigade or artists rifles. Mr L. F. Paul, vice-chairman of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are not snobs. But it is a little difficult for employers to serve in the ranks in peace time and possibly be subordinate to some of their employees. The scheme has been approved by Colonel Henry Guest, M.P., and Mr Hore Belisha has intimated that he is in favour of the promotion of these regiments . in the provinces.’’ Meanwhile the Daily Mail has mentioned the case of Private H. W. Griffiths, of Chester, who is serving in an anti-aircraft battalion side by side with his butler and four or five other members of his household staff. Earl Winterton. M.P., Paymastergeneral, speaking at Horsham, Sussex, a month ago, said that there was too much snobbery and dangerous class distinction in Britain. In the last war,” he said, .“there were far too many people with titles on the staffs who' had no more right to be in the job than others who served in the trenches. All should be treated alike on their merits.”