WHAT OUR READERS THINK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2474, 29 May 1915, Page 6

WHAT OUR READERS THINK

POLTROONS AND SHIRKERS. PARENTS HOLDING THEIR SONS BACK. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondents are blaming some of tho boys for not enlisting. I know they are not always to blame, and calling them names is not going to improve matters. Many young men aro not enlisting because their fathers and mothers wont let them. I know a father with four sons between 22 and 30, and lio las ordered that they stay at home to look after the homestead. Ho has promised to cut it up among them, giving 1800 acres each if they do not enlist. Another father I know said to me: "I would go myself, but I cannot sparo my son." Of course tho fathor would not be taken if ho offered, but, by tlie way, he has not offeredNow, all these young men would go if their fathers would offer no objections. I also lioar of some clergymen urging young men to go because this is a Christian war, and it is their duty. The clergy I 'have in my mind's eye have sons of their own, but are they going? Not one of theiu. I know a father who has five sons at tho war, and another with three. They come of "fighting" families. I know another father wno lias six sons—all in business, but he has prevented any one of them going. It is quito true that a great many young men ivitli no ties save "great possessions" and paternal affection to sacrifice are hanging back, and conscription is the only cure for such conduct. The nation is under discipline, and the unwilling must be compelled to submit. I know a man who has no sons, but two daughters, and one daughter has gone as a nurse. He is a wealthy man and conscientious. He says the war prices have made him richer hy nearly £1000 this year. "I have " he says, "given half to tho war fnnd, and if extra taxation does not absorb another £500 I will give the balance to patriotic purposes." That is tho true war spirit. Fathers and mothers who give their sons and daughters to the service of their country in the hour of need arc doing much, but there are numbers who are making fortunes out of the war here in New Zealand, and they are contributing neither of their blood nor their money to the Empire's call. Conscription for the laggard and taxation for tho money-grabber must come.—l am, 6tC " PRO PATRIA. BANKS AND THEIR STAFFS. Sir,— Referring to your sub-leader of r Puosday morning on tho subject of the "Call to Arms" and shirkers amongst both employers and men, 1 would like to endorse your remarks regarding the former. . It is certainly a fact that certain banks and insurance companies are refusing their employees leave to enlist, and further aro threatening -with dismissal all who wish to do so. So much so is this the case that it is_ reported that in one large bank,_ carrying on its business in the Dominion, not_ one of its Wellington staff is on active service, this in spits of several applications for leave from mombers of the staff, backed by offers of extra work from married clorlts unable to volunteer. Tho Bank of New Zealand has given other employers a splendid example as regards facilities for its staff to respond to the Empire's call in tho hour of need, and wo should see to it that tho others do their duty. With reference to Mr. R- B. Smith's conversation with a Dominion reporter in this morning's paper, his remarks apply to the Bank of Australasia only.—l am, etc., A WOMAN. Wellington, May 23, 1913.