Obstacles to Recruiting.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 1

Obstacles to Recruiting.

TTO THE EDITOK. I Sir,—ln the leader in your issue of Friday last, dealing with the above subject, you refer to tlio employment of enemy aliens by the Railway Department, no doubt referring to soaie Dalmatians on the works between Pukekohe and Auckland. As I feel sure your paper, and no right-minded Britisher, wishes to do an injustice to any man or class of men in our free country, I wish to set forth my experience of a number of these Dalmatians with whom I have had business relations

for many years past. These men, who are of the same race as our Kussian Allies, have always expressed their objection to their German and Austrian iu!ers, in the hands of whom, although com touting only about eleven millions of the population of the Austrian Empire, the Government of that Empire is held, and held as thess Dalmatians aver, to the continual detriment of the Dalmatian people. Long before this war I have discussed this Austrian race problem with many of thorn, and insistol that this disparagmeut of their Austrian rulers was the outcome of race prejudice, but this view they strongly combatted, sayiug there was no justice or fair-play to bo had for Dalmatians from their German ruler?, against whom ihoy were hopefully looking forward to a revo'utiou, which they considered would take place at the death of the present Emperor, after which they reckoned the Dalmatian element would be in the ascendant.

Wheu discussing with some of thein the reported German atrocities at the commencement of the war I expressed doubt of their accuracy of such, expressing tho opinioa that a civilised and cultured people, as we believod the Germans to be, would not be guilty of such cruel barbarities. These Dalmatians replied they could <puite understand my disbelief living in a free country with a good Government like we have in New Zealand ; but to them who had experience of German methods the reports were <juite believable, and if the reports erred at all it was in not disclosing half the cruelties perpetrated. Several of these men have volunteered and are now lighting our common enemy and many more would do so only for their jmperfect knowledge of our language, and in completing their forms for the National Registor they expressed their willingness to serve. The brother of the man who was arrested on the works near Pukekohe (as refeired to in your leader weiit to the front in the Ninth Reinforcements, tie was employed on the Waiuku Railway Works when he received news that the Austrian officials had shot his father at his own door in Dalmatia. He immediately left and offered his services to Iho Defence Department, which were accepted, and he went, as he expressed it. to take revenge for his father's murder.

I feel, Mr Editor, that many of your readers who are not so well acquainted with the character and sympathies of these Dalmatian Slavs as I am should be apprised of their true position, of these men's hope and sympathy with us that Prussian and Austro-German dominance will be put under for all time, so that this class of the community who have provod themselves sober, peaceable, industrious men shall not be subjected to woll meant but erroueous adverse public feeling.

That our Prime Minister and the Government are woll acquainted with the position and sympathies of these Dalmatian Slavs the puges of Hansard will prove, not to speak of tho evidence afforded by their generous contribution! Lj the war funds.—l am, etc, JOSEI'II 11ENK1', Patumahoe, lith May, I'.Uti.