CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1915, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

NATIONAL PERIL. (To the Editor.) Jir. Your correspondent "Paterfamilias" says: 'As for the married men, they would, I have no doubt, readily respond to the call. At present the time for demanding their services has not arrived.' Hasn't it? At any rate; there is Lord Kitchener's authority for saying that every availahle man is wanted. "iPater-familias" continues: 'lt will arrive when the thousands of able-bodied men still in evidence in every town and district are absorbed.' Apparently, he thinks that a man ceases to class as able-bodied on his marriage day, and in taking a wife has relieved himself of any obligation to fight for his country. This opinion seems to be shared by a good many beside "Pater-fapiilias," which, perhaps, accounts for the unusual number of weddings taking place at present. Today the girl who marries a soldier leaving for the front is to be commended, but the one who marries a civilian so that he can shelter behind her skirts is degrading herself. I made no suggestion that elderly married men should be called up. I merely protest against the reservation of the title of shirker for young single men. I have known some under military age having white feathers sent them, whereas, there are thousands of married men equally deserving of it. Because a man may not be lit (lots might be fit if they had lived cleaner), for military duties, that does not relieve him of all obligations to his country. , Many seem to tilink it does, and go on with their business and pleasure as usual. I noticed in your Waitara correspondent's notes of a man chopping wood for a woman whose husband had gone to the war. There are lots of women, girls, and old men chopping wood to-day in the country districts because their boys are at the front. Any man who wants, whether in town or country, to serve his country, can find some job if he looks lor it, and if he doesn't he is a ''shirker." There are plenty of young fellows now fighting grandly— some have dial foi us—who before the war were designated by the respectable people of their locality as simply "wasters." The men in the fighting line are calling to their mates to come and lend a hand. "I have married a wife, therefore, I cannot come," may be a good enough excuse for '•Paterfamilias" but, take the case of two men of equal age. Say,'twentyeight—(a.) A backblock pioneer, worked hard from his teens, now batching in I'ungawhare, tackling a new section with a view to making a home for himself and his prospective bride. Never had much pleasure—just graft—graft. (■!>.) A townsman, fairly easy time as a boy, no getting up and milking before school or having to get back quick to fetch the cowa. Tennis, football, billiards, and other pastimes, with an admitted amount of work in between times, have made him a line healthy fellow. Just a year ago. he married. ' Nicer- to have a dear little wife and cosy home; lot better than the boardingiiouse, don't you know. A: "You blooming shirker, get away and fight." B: '"You beauty, stop right here and look after the wife and—twins!".—l am, etc., IKIRAT.