MINERS AND THE ARMY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1745, 7 August 1917, Page 4

MINERS AND THE ARMY.

Though mining’ in Brilniii is “proteeled’’ for reasons both of niilitary .-i’ml of national importanee, this industry is expected to provide more men for-military service. The presence of young’ men in the pits from oilier oeciipntions —farmers’ sons, simp assistants, clerks, piano-hni-ers, and collecting insurance agents —lias keen a constant cause of irritation and discontent to the general body of miners, many of whoso sons and brothers have voluntarily gone into the fighting ranks. The number of miners who, up to the end of March, 11)1(1, had joined the colours was 282,20 b, that is, 2o per cent, of ihe whole of the labour employed at the colleries at the outbreak of war. The replacements up to the same date, largely by men from oilier occupations, were 110,- :)()(). At the present time (hey are about 200,000 men. The miners say if more men are required for military service these are the men who should bo taken. They are regarded by the other workmen in the pits as shirkers, men who are working there simply to avoid their duty to (he State.