RECRUITING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1512, 19 February 1916, Page 3

RECRUITING.

(To the Flciitor). Sir.— l would like to make a few remarks re a letter by A. J, Kellow, which appeared in your last issue. I assume Mr Kellow, like myself, has volunteered his services, and therefore claims the right to criticise. lam sorry that the Council did not give more serious consideration to the appeal for assistance from the Recruiting Board. The Council could have offered to assist the Board in a final effort to stimulate recruiting and at the same lime have expressed the opinion that in the event of the Board’s effort failing to meet this Dominion’s obligations in men, then introduce conscription. I think the Council’s motion was too drastic. It is not fair that Foxton should be committed to such a motion, and the Patriotic Committee should set the matter right, and I hope Mr Kellow will take action in this direction. No one can accuse the Mayor of not doing all in his power to assist recruiting. He has devoted a great deal of his time to recruiting, and possibly he is disappointed with the result, and finds the only way to shift the slackers and shirkers in Foxton is by conscription. There are some men in the town who have no reasonable excuse to remain behind, and some families who have not sent one soldier. They say they have business ties. Ye gods ! Business ties ! Fiddling while Rome burns! Fancy, sir, selfish greed first and the Empire, which has done so much for their freedom and prosperity—nowhere. Business is not an excuse to justify them staying at home. They are possibly unconsciously the enemies best allies. Nothing save conscription will compel these men to serve. What answer will they give to their children in the years to come when asked what they did for the Empire, when it was struggling for its existence ? The Mayor knows that if an angel came from heaven to try and persuade them, let alone a local committee, it wouldn’t move them. Still they would have another chance. They are prepared to take all the prosperity that comes their way at the cost of their brothers’ blood, but as tor making any sacrifice voluntarily, they will not do it. The names of all eligible local men who refuse to serve without good excuse should be posted up in prominent positions, and they should be for ever disfranchised. I believe in conscription, but only after every other means has been tried, and in this connection I think the Council’s motion was too drastic. Thanking you in anticipation, — I am, etc., VOLUNTKKR. (To the Editor.) Sir,—The opinion is, that Mr Kellow’s letter might bear some weight it it was written trom the front.—l am, etc., Unfit.