THE MAIN SUPPLY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13699, 1 June 1915, Page 7

THE MAIN SUPPLY.

A WORD ABOUT SHIRKERS.

WHAT PARLLUIENT MAY DO

(Special to Herald.)

WELHXUIUX, this day

Some words of caution to those who too easily pass judgment on the ablebodied, young man who docs not wear the King's uniform were uttered by the Hun. James Allen. Minister of Dmunee.

"People are apt, m the excitement of the time, to misjudge, other men,'' he remarked. "1 admit that when .1 see a young fellow who is able-bodied m the street I think. "Why are you not at TrenthamV But 1 iiave to check myself. He might not be able to comply with our regulations. Some have suggested, putting a badge on those men who are willing but have been rejected, but they do not wish to be publicly brajided medically ivniit. We are, however, proposing to issue a certificate to men who have enlisted but cannot comply with our regulation. This they can carry /in their pockets. As for 'the military staff m New Zealand they want to go, and. aro eating their hearts out to go, but we have to retain some stalf here for training purposes, and I wish tho public to realise Mat uuey are thus doing service as groat, if not greater, than those who can get to the front. We hope to suitably recognise that service m regard to protnotion and everything else m. the same way as the men at tno front." ' ■ WILL COXSCRJ LOTION COME?

The Minister was asked if New Zealand might have to consider some method of forming, the unwilling single man into the ramca.

"'We have no iu;eil fov conscription," he replied. "The recruiting tigures are satisfactory. Wo had to make a spurt to make up the extra two battalions; but now- tins has been done, .and when wo get the 7th . Reinforcements into camp we shall be Able to get along with 2600 men, every two-. months. If it can be proved that xinniarried men are shirking responsibility I am not at all certain that it would not be advisable for Parliament to deiil with an issue of that kind. lam not going to say the single men are' shirking their duty, but if proof positive comes forward public opinion, as expressed, m the Legislature, nnght have to take action." Ho asked if your correspondent would stress the point that he had never appealed to married men 'to enlist. He had been asked if 'married, men ought to enlist, and replied that there were plenty of unmarried men. At the same time there were some married men who believed it to be their duty to 6 0, and he did not think they ought to be refused unless the wife refused to consent, m which case the man was rejected.

The cost of New Zealand's part m the war was estimated last April at £300,000 per month, but the Minister of Defence states that since then two now battalions, two stationary hospitals, and a hospital ship have been added to the strength of the forces, consequently the Bill will be m excess of the total previously quoted.