A WASTAGE OF MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2816, 6 July 1916, Page 6

A WASTAGE OF MEN

Sir,—l would be glad if you would allow me a sliort space ju your valuable puper in answer to concerning tli© wastage of men. Evidently 'M.R.D.' 1 knows precious little of what lie "was talking about or he would not have token, the .trouble-1° write such utter rubbish. He says that you will see strapping .young men scrubbing floors, etc., at Featherston Hospital. Quite true; it ia so, but if he had not been too tired to make inquiries he would have found that these same men arc just doing a very necessary part of their training as hospital orderlies; for, if a man is not able to scrub a floor or suchlike necessary work, he will not be much use in any hospital abroad. Then again he will find tnafc a percentage of these men are only there for a month before they go to Awapuui for their field training prior to leaving for tho front. If "J.R.D.," is so anxious to do his bit, -why does he not take it on, and let some of the younger men get away. I know of a good, many there who have been in camp nearly eight months, and cannot get away as they cannot get anyone, to relieve them, and as there is always a fair amount of 'sickness in a camp of six or seven thousand men, someone must be there to look after them. ".T.E.D." need not worry because he is a. married man. lam also a married man, with four ; children, and" the eldest only six years old. I would like to see "J.8.D." working 12 to 15 hours a day in the ward, and hear what iio has to say about" the soft job, and.whether an old man could do the same. Evidently*; ".T.E.D/' is to see the poor devil -who has done his bit at the front, or the poor old man slaving away on a job tliat he has not the pluck to tackle himself. I need not say any more on the subject as other men have taken it up in a \yery capable manner. Hoping one day to see "J.R.D." on his knees to give the other man a chance.—l am, etc*, SQUAKE DEAL.