A MAYOR'S ADVICE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 100, 3 April 1916, Page 4

A MAYOR'S ADVICE.

Tho other clay the Mayor of Dunedin did some straight talking with regard to recruiting, and made clear to an interviewer, that he is the foe of all shirkers. "Several individuals," de- ( clared Mr Clark, "are heing discovered who have avoided registering their names and these persons are being reported to the authorities to take what action they like in the matter. From particulars that arc in our possession it is noticeable that married men seem' to realise much more keenly the critical nature of the situation and are ready to offer their services for the Empire, but they all feel that the first claim should be made upon the single man with nobody dependent upon him., It that shirkers exist very; largely among single young fellows who should, one would think, be particularly anxious to serve their country. When we see so many eligible man with no ties standing aloof and content to enjoy the pleasures and profits of our country, and yet refuse to serve their country, we cannot wonder at the cry there is for compulsion. I feel that employers should assist the Government and recruiting committees | to bring pressure to bear on those j young men who are in their employ-] ment and who -are quite indifferent to the call to duty, and plainly indicate j to them that their proper place is at; the front. If employers would take up' this attitude and suffer the inconveni-j ence, and perhaps some pecuniary loss, j that would occur, there can be no! doubt that it would have a marked in- j fluence in inducing these young fellows to enlist. It is still apparent! that a great number are trifling with the question, as they insist on enlisting in those branches which are already! over-supplied for months to come. Every day large numbers of men state that the only branches of the service in which they are willing to act are such as I hare indicated, yet they are quite aware that there, is no possibility of their services, being required for months. This gives rise to the suspicion that they are of the shirker class and are trying to shield themselves under the fact that they have enlisted, and yet they are perfectly aware that the probability of them being called upou is very remote."