ATTENTION

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15628, 31 May 1915, Page 3

ATTENTION

[To the Editor] Sir, —I have read with interest the letters in your People’s Column by “Eyes Front” and “Too Old.” With your kind permission I will add a few remarks, I am pl< a d o sqe that there is quite a number of young men enrolling for the front, and all honour to them. We know we have several in and around this district who have, through no fault of their own, been unable to pass the medical test- To these men we extend our deepest sympathy. I know that some of them have shown their manhood by enrollii g, but without success. Now, Sir, one must admit that we have a big majority of shirkers here who have no excuse to offer for still being here, men without any family ties, and these'are not the men who help any of the deserving cases such as the Belgium Fund, the Patriotic Fund, Hospital Ship Fund or any other fund, and yet thev are living in the freest of all God’s countries and sponging on the men who are fighting for their existence. I often wonder what their feelings are when they walk along the street, knowing that the eyes of the public are on them. What do the young ladies of our town think of them ? I hear that quite a number of white feathers have been sent through the post to these shirkers. Although I don’t admire the action, it is one way of showing contempt for such run backs. I trust that the time will soon come when the Defence Department will see its way cl 6. r tj extend the age limit to forty five years, then we men, some ot us with large families, will perhaps be able to shame at least some of the shirkers. I would suggest, Sir, that the ladies of this town and district form themselves into enrolling clubs, and make a personal call on all eligible men for the front, not forgetting to have a medical man handy to examine all who enrol. Trusting that the Mayor or will call a meeting of the ladies for the above object, I am etc, “ ATTENTION ”