SHELTERING BEHIND THE NATIONAL RESERVE.

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

SHELTERING BEHIND THE NATIONAL RESERVE.

(To the Editor.)

fiir,—May 1 trespass upon your valuable Vj hay how good a suggestion n'aii til's ono made by your correspondent, 11. Allen, in this.morning's paper, una also that of "Soldier's Sister." There is no doubt whatever that the shirker is evciywhere amongst us, and seeks shelter in many strange places. Ho shelters behind those unfortunate enough to be rejeoted; he shelters behind a supposititious sweetheart. I say "supposititious," for I cannot believe that ono of our girls would hold a man back from his duty. Indeed, I know of one case where a male person said his girl would 2iot let him go, and the girl's answer was to break off her engagement. He is still peacefully browsing in New Zealand. Then there are some sheltering behind the badge— the honourable badge—of the National Reserve. A force of men of over military age, or having family responsibilities in. the shape of wife and small children, is no place for able-bodied single men of military ago. If these really feel afraid to go, let them pay blood-money for the man who dies in their stead, in the shape of half their income, earnings, or otherwise. But before even that alternative is accepted, I should like to see the Government pass a Bill compelling all men of military age, who have no children, to register not later than a given date, on penalty of being named in every paper in the land.—l am, etc., VIA VICTORIAE.