CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1412, 17 June 1915, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor). Sir. —lt was slated during a service in one of our local churches last Sunday that British soldiers were being killed during the present war owing to insufficiency of shells to batter down the German defence, and this shortage was attributed to the drunkenness and shirking of the workmen at Home who are engaged in the production of war material. Similar reference was made to the men engaged in the great shipbuilding yards and engineering works on the Clyde and Tyne, I’m much atrald that a wrong impression was made in this way. While it is true that these statements appeared in the dally press—for most of us remember reading them—yet I feel sure that none of us who are at all rational will imagine that they apply to the great bulk ot Home workers. I am quite prepared to believe that there ii a certain percentage of men engaged in the industries above mentioned who don’t care much what may happen provided their supply of strong drink is not affected. We have some of that ilk here in New Zealand, but I’m quite convinced, in respect to both countries, that the proportion is very small. I might further suggest, and with all respect, Mr Editor, to ,our local organ, that some newspaper reports should be taken cum grano sails , especially when they originate from certain Australian sources which are governed by enterprising Yankee firms. Doubtless the reverend gentleman, who partly based his very able discourse on these newspaper articles, will assure us that he has a far better opinion of the men engaged in our mighty Industries at Home than would appear to some who heard him on Sunday last. In closing, I would like to say, sir, that I am positive the men in question, in common with all in general (excepting, only, and always, the absolute wasters), are doing their level best at this juncture. I might point out that some of them have been working twelve hours per day, and seven days each week for a good while past. We shall agree that this would tend to make most ot us feel a little below par, and I think we would feel leniently inclined towards those who fall a bit short, after a time, of doing their very best. Still, I know they are making all the effort they are capable of—first, because they are British and good citizens ; again, because they are patriotic, and likewise well aware what would be the result were the enemy victorious; next, I believe they are getting well paid ; and last of all, and by far the greatest incentive, they nearly all have some of their own flesh and blood serving the King, either afloat or ashore. The writer would like to add that for a considerable period during the late Boer War he was living and working among the employees at the greatest Government munitions factory in the United Kingdom, and found those men just as good as any he has found elsewhere. Thanking you in anticipation, and trusting I’m not encroaching too much on your valuable space,—Yours, etc,, Woolwich Infant.