CHEEKY REPLIES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13995, 27 January 1916, Page 7

CHEEKY REPLIES.

SOME OF Tim AUSTKAIIAN WAR

CENSUS CARDS

The war census cards sent out by the Prime Minister to the men of Australia between tho ages of 18 and 45 an; now being received and dealt with by tho various ]->cal committees formed for that purpose. ■Alt-hough in very 'few cases the replies have yet been classified, it is quite apparent tha,ti the majority of those to whom the appealwas directed have refused to answer tho call.

The cards that 'have already been classified indicate various reasons for refusing to enlist. The principal 0110 is apparently an objection to the freedom an-1 privileges granted to Germans in our midst. /'lntern the Germans," read one re-ply received at Paddingtou, "and we will all enlist." Another strong objection concerned compulsion, many" men stating their unwillingness to enlist until the eligible men wero compelled to do their duty. ; fthoi-ily stated, the excuses may ho classified s<= Jo] lows:, — L. Whori all Gcraaus and alien ene- , mics are inU-rntd. 2. When conscription oomos. 3. When -all fins;lt> mon go. 4. Jni.l.j]itj to obtain parents' conscni'. 5. Personal obligations. 6. Co.isc-i'pntious objections. As was only "to.be expected ..a^number of'the replies were evasive, and in some* cases in.pertinent. Others were quite candid in stating .their reasons for refusing to go. One man's reply was, ''I an 1 a Socialist, and I've got cold' feet. I will no' go to the war at any cost." " While> many of the committees have got the scheme advanced io tho sta.^e whero they ran pioceed with \hc p«i--fooal iivtvrviewing, tlie-ro are districts^ Vlisre'committees ha^e'itot-yet^ been appqin<w?tt, •' and. ■no / steps ha,ve \ b-oen-takeiu to deal.uith the-cards. \'" ;