The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 16, 1915. ARK YOU A SHIRKKR?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1460, 16 October 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 16, 1915. ARK YOU A SHIRKKR?

A cocax. lady resident informs us that it makes her blood boil to see the callous indifference ol young men in this district with nothing in the world to prevent them giving their services to the Kmpire at a time when they are so urgently needed. She asks whether they realise in the slightest degree the grave crisis at hand. We cannot understand any physically fit young man without family ties hanging back at the present time and turning a deaf ear to the urgent call tor recruits, unless it is that he possesses a yellow streak in his make up. This is putting it strongly, perhaps, but we can find no milder expression. To see them gallivanting round the country, attending race meetings and indulging in other branches ot sport and selfish pleasure, while their brave comrades are pouring out their blood in the cause oi liberty and freedom, is enough to stir the temper of any true patriot. We cannot believe that such indifference is due to ignorance, for the shirkers eagerly scan the papers for the latest details of the fight. We should be sorry to see conscription enforced, but would gladly welcome it it for no other reason than to bring these skulkers into line. In an interview recently at Auckland, Colonel J, K. Hume said more men were wanted quickly. Recruits were not coming forward as quickly as they should, and he could not understand what was keeping back the young men—the men who are single and otherwise eligible. There were men, lots of them, who should have come forward at the very beginning. Now theie was less excuse for hanging back than ever. Surely they were not going to be content to stay at home and let the married men, and men who were keen to enlist despite home ties, go in their places. “I simply cannot understand,” continued Colonel Hume, “why so many single men in Auckland—you see them in the streets In hundreds—fail to come forward. We ate doing what we can to encourage recruiting, and much can be done outside in a quiet way by the use of a little moral suasion. It seems to me, if the worst comes to the worst, and we cannot get the men to come forward voluntarily, the Government will have to consider the employment of some other measures. Surely it is better to go as a volunteer than wait to be pressed into service.” In conclusion he said that speaking generally, he urged every young man to enlist. He recognised that there were exceptional circumstances in some cases ; some volunteered and could not pass the doctors, others had family ties.