TIKORANGI RECRUITS-WHERE ARE THEY?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 300, 28 May 1915, Page 3

TIKORANGI RECRUITS-WHERE ARE THEY?

To the Editor. . Sir, —I have waited anxiously and patiently in the hopes that my quiet suggestion to the young men of Tikoliinifi might hear fruit, hut up to the present they prefer to remain at their comfortable firesides whilst others are fighting and improving their financial position. It may periiaps he that parents are more to blame than the young men, as, from the expression of one of the mothers of Tikorangi, their sons had no need to leave their comfortable' Jinnies, and it was tin* duty of the "poor" patriots of Waitara to enlist! Evidently the young fellows are well tied to their mot hers' apron strings, for 1 have not heard of one case where a son has made the effort to leave his mother's strings. The fanners of Tikorangi, like those of other parts, are reaping a tine harvest through the unfortunate wan. Prices of their produce were never so high, and the parents of the "poor" people that Tikorangi's mother spoke .if are paying very dear for their butter, tint in spite of this fact they are prepared to send the flower of tliei'r family to tight the Empire's battles, whilst the sons of Tikorangi mothers stay at home and eventually reap the whole benefit of tlie patriotism of the "poor" people, who are loyal. Tikorangi's loyalty consists in raising a few pounds for the purpose of sending someone else's sons to take the chance of losing their life in the great struggle. In other words, they are what one of their prominent members referred to at the beginning of the struggle, "good flag waggcrs." There is a. chance for some of the young bloods of this benighted district to make a name for himself by being the first to enlist. "Who will it be! Surely, from the number of big, strong youths of the place, at least &"> to 30 could easily be spared, that is if they are game to take the risk, which apparently they are not. It grieves me to have to write in such a strain, but the position is forced on me by the apathy of both, parents and sons. "What will they have to say later on in life when their children and children's children ask where their medals are.' What will they say? Many of (lie older residents are proud posse?:,».rs I of these certificates of loyalty. Are their actions not to be repeated by thepresent generation? This is not the fight of the poor man. He is not like the vassal of old and compelled to fight for his master's existence. This is a fight of the sons of the Empire, great and poor, professional man, worker, and farmers. It'is for the existence of all that the fight must be brought to a conclusion at an early date, and it is only by force of number# that this can be accomplished. The Government of the day have made the. admission that «'nroiment is not as satisfactory as it should he, and it is up to Tikorangi to assist in making up its quota of lmiii- I hers required. Parents and sons, drop your flag wagging and show your patriotism by enlisting without further delay. Your King and Country needs yon. Will you shirk your duty any longer' For your credit's sake send along 40 or SO of your sons to protect your homes from the vile German. Think of what would happen if men of the Old Country thought as you do! Where would your prosperity be to-day? Where your wives and daughters in the future? The treatment of the Belgian women will tell you. "Will you allow this to continue? If not, then enlist at once, and save further reproaches from A SOLDIER'S FATHER. Waitara, May 211, I!HS.