FIT MEN ON HOSPITAL SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 186, 26 April 1918, Page 7

FIT MEN ON HOSPITAL SHIPS

' Sir, —Wliilst reading The Dominion of tlio 18tli I camo ncvoss tlio announcement made by tlio Hon. Sir James Allen : that men of tho G and D class of the lySccond Division would- bo accepted as volI'lintcßYS for llio Forty-second draft, lo fto into camp on May 21. "Whilst admitting tlio urgent need for moil in response to Mr. Lloyd George's appeal, it does not appear to mo as a very tempting offer when men of tlio First Division who ■liavo no dependants, and waited until drawn in tlio tentb or eleventh ballot, who have been classed fit A, who liavo appealed, and have had their appeal dismissed, should be put into tho ambulance | camp for three 01' four weeks, and then [ go away on a hospital 6hip, return, and go away again. .Surely, a position like that could be filled by aC2 man or a rc- | jeet from Ct Camp, and allow a fit man to bo sent to a more strenuous position. If there is to be any sorting out for jobs, surely tho partially unfit or married man with two or three children should have the preference. I venture to say there are plenty of men over tlio present military ago who would be capable of performing tlio duties on a hospital ship as well as being able to stand the strain of being away from the trenches and firing-line, and baring a dry plaw in which to sleep. It seems a case of driving'tlio willing horao.to death. In 0110 case a 'man thinks it his duty to fight fpr his conn try, and duly onlists, and when once at tho front is kept there, and. often after being wounded is sent back to look for trouble iho second and third time in the firing-line. The other caso, a mail waits until drawn in tho ballot, does liis best to got out of it by appealing, and is finally sent on a holiday 011 a, hospital ship. I don't Maino anyone taking the best they can got, but the principle is wrong. Life is sweet to all of ns, and sui;ely it is the duty of tho country to study tho married man, his wife, and children, as well as tho monetary question on tho Government' side, in tlio way of pensions, etc., in tho event of being killed or disabled for life. A lot of married men have sacrificed their farms or businesses, anxious to do their little bit, and hundreds more are willing to do likewise for the cause, but lyhen single mid fit men are sent on what is practically a pleasure trip on a ship - supposed to be immune from submarine attacks, it .makes a married man think twice -before accepting the invitation to volunteer. I was gla'd'to see that tlie question of eligible and fit men being on hospital ships was referred to by somo of our members, amongst them Mr. AVitty; but the answer he got was that men on hospital ships were fit men nnd on active service. After tho stirring appeal from the English Cabinet, it is to be hoped that all fit men will bo put into the right place, ahd thereby help to win the war.—l am, etc., SECOND DIVISION. I