MEN WHO HOLD BUCK

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13187, 29 May 1915, Page 2

MEN WHO HOLD BUCK

13 CONSCRIPTION NECESSARY?

VIEWS OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS MEN.

The comments of the Bishop of Pretoria, who advocates compulsory training, on the slackness of young men in offering themselves for service at the front, caused an Auckland Press representative to ascertain the views of a number of Auckland's leading business men on the question. An outspoken commentary wa3 that offered by his Lordship, Bishop Aveiill. There was, he said, no doubt, that at the present time a yery strong impression of public opinion was need that all 3ingle eligible men between 20 and 40 years of age should o ff er their services in defence of the Empire. Those who failed to do so should be regarded and treated as shirkers. In his opinion, employers of labour should be urged to press this national duty on their unmarried employees, and, i', necessary, supplant single eligible men with married men. Also, employers of labour should, where possible, endeavour to give some guarantee of employment to those who enlist, so that if they return they may have some reasonable hope of a permanent position. The younger married mtn, thought his Lordship, might reasonably be urged to offer their services on condition that adequate provision be made for those dependent upon them, if possible by a sliding scale, according to the number of dependents. Suitable conditions should also be made for widows and families in case of the death of a husband or father. "A definite time should be given "to eligible men in which to enlist," added his Lordship. "If that fails, conscription should be enforced for unmarried men without dependents. There aie hundreds—nay, thousands,—of young men hanging back, many of them from selfish reasons, who should be shown plainly that they sre branding themselves as cowards and shirkers."

The Mayor, Mr J. H. Gunson, is of the opinion that married men should not be asked to join the Expeditionary Force while so many single men without remain in the country. "The very fact that it is necessary to call on married men will be regarded by many as a reflection upon the thousands of able-bodied young men who remain," added Mr Gunson. The President of Employers' Association, Mr Ernest Craig, considers that the empluyers should take firm steps in the direction of assisting the authorities by giving preference to married men, unless there are special circumstances, such as family ties, or physical defects, which would entitle the single man to special consideration. He was taking the matter up with the Employers' Association, and urged that as far as possible, only married men be employed. "I cannot believe that we will have any trouble in keeping our obligations with the War Office," said Mr j. W. Tibbs, headmaster of the Grammar School. "There are thousands of young men in this country who will only have to be aroused to a sense of their responsibilites, and they will readily respond. If, however, continual reinforcements cannot be kept up, then the authorities will no doubt take more stringent action.

One of the most important suggestions is that contained in a report submitted by a sub-committee to the Auckland Patriotic Committee, at its last meeting, namely:—"The committee recommends that employers of labour be invited to refrain from employing unmarried men between the ages of 20 to 35, who. not being only sons, or the sole support of parants, cannot produce a satisfactory military discharge or official certificate of unfitness for military service." The report will be discussed at tha next meeting of the committes.