RECRUITING

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15629, 2 June 1915, Page 3

RECRUITING

(To the Editor) Sir, — It is all very well for “ Eyes Front,” “ Attention ” and “ Too Old,” who are evidently well under cover, to pot indiscriminately at single men who have not yet enlisted. What a pity they did not use their reasoning faculties when they must have realised that many single men have heavier burdens to bear than some married men, but are of the type that dj not parade their sacrifices before the gaze of the public. I sty this ■ ” It requires greater moral courage at such a time as this to stay at home and do one’s urgent duty in the monotonous round of daily life, subje. t to the taunts and jeers of the unthinking and ignorant, than to follow the blare of the trumpet and fight in ti e heat of battle.” It is ail very well too, for those in high places to talk loud and long, but is it not a' fact that shortly after the outbreak of war many of our politicians thought more of electioneering, or of protecting the fat fellow, than of delaying the dissolution of Parliament, passing a War Tax on the wealthy, and mak ing adequate provision for the dependents of those who may be called on to make the supreme sacrifice. These same politicians now suggest the magnificent sum of £3O per annum. It is not the relatives of those in comfortable circumstances who will suffer most through this war, but the relatives of the comparatively poor, who so far are absolutely unprovided for. £3O will be just enough to keep them in poverty. Although war is horrible, I yield to none in patriotism or a desire to serve my country, and I am going to give your nom de-plume patriots, and others who are fond of baiting single men without discrimination an opportunity to prove their patriotism. Will they come forward and take the burdens of several single men in le Aroha, including myself, and thereby release them, to their great delight, for service at the front Let them either do this or cease their prating. Shirkers there may be in plenty, but be careful who you place in that category. I am, etc., Robert Coulter.