CIVILIANS IN CAMP.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2792, 9 June 1916, Page 6

CIVILIANS IN CAMP.

Sir,—l was surprised when I came into this (Featherston) Camp to see so many eligible young men employed on the public works about the camp. Avtor making inquiries I Cud out that there aro a good many of these men who are single. I don't think this is a fair thing to us married men who have left a steady job to join tho ranks, and receive our small allowance, while such men are allowed to hung behind and draw a big wage. Last week there was a batch ot' men discharged irom the works, and one ot them is a married man with three children, who has enlisted, and is waiting to be called up to go into camp. From my own experience i know (hat a uittu cau't settle down to another job when knowing ho is wanted any week, so that means that this volunteer will bo idle until wanted. I think that it would be more satisfactory to- the military authorities and to us married soldiers if the Public Works Department were to discharge those nion from the camps. Volunteers and shirkers can never be too friendly to each other, so why have them m the same camp, together? Trusting you to find space to publish this letter in your columns.—l am, etc., ft MARRIED VOLUNTEER. . [The Military Service Act may assist to remedy the state of things complained of. At the same time, the Public Works Department might look into tho matter.] MARRIED MEN WHO SHOULD GO. Sir,—l read in your paper of Tuesday morning a very interesting letter by "Reject." I quite agree with him that thero are a numbei of able-bodied married men between the ago of 30 and 10 who should be doing their bit at the front. I know of a few wealthy young landowners, some have no children, ajid others one or two, who, could not only leave their families well provided for, but who could leave thorn to 'live in luxury all their lives,' Now, i should like to know why a widow depending on her only sou should have to send him to fight 'and protect theso wealthy shirkers and their families, and leave his mother to eaist on a mere pittance, while they boast of, the thousands they have made through tho war. If »these wealthy .shirkers cannot be made go to tho war, it is a pity they cannot be ma do to gi\c Ihia big war proliC to the widows and orphans of those who have fought and died for them and theirs. I. should like someone with an abler pen than mine to say something on tho subject.—l am, etc., A WIDOWED MOTHER WITU HER ONLY ON AT THE FRONT.