CORRESPONDENCE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1778, 19 January 1918, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

[To the Editor. |

Sir.—l have read certain correspondence appearing in your paper concerning an appeal for military exemption by a local clerk, and it appears that one man is singled out for criticism because his appeal came before a Board whose proceedings are open to the public press. But what about other Foxton men who have obtained military exemption, but who have not come into the limelight of public criticism because they have whined and whimpered before a medical board whose examinations are held in camera. Th'6 appellant criticised has only had his appeal adjourned sine die. He has to face the music again. Let me ask your coi’respondents, sir, why they don’t give a Utile public, attention to some glaring cases, of so-called medically unfit men in Foxton who have been turned down, and yet these men can do a strenuous day’s work. Why wasn’t their pleading before the medical board made public? In all but a few cases their trouble is cold feet. There is no need for me to tell your correspondents who these men are. They are still knocking round Foxton —and don’t they look physical wrecks, poor things! I do not wish to excuse any man for shirking Jiis duty during this time of crisis, and in my opinion every man who can carry a gun and shoot a German is fit. Some of these big, hulking individuals who have whined before the medical board for exemption should be ashamed to be seen outside the Avails of a hospital. —-Yours in anticipation,

FAIR DEAL.