SHIRKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 November 1915, Page 3

SHIRKERS.

To the Editor. Sir, —In reply to your correspondent. "One Who Knows," I would like to suggest that lie knows nothing-. 1 am one of those wlio married since the outbreak of war, and on behalf of myself and several others in tl/e district (who have married since hostilities began) I wish to offer a defence against the insinuations and insults levelled at us by "One Who Knows." lam quite willing to go to the front if your knowing correspondent is game enough to shoulder my responsibilities and support my wife. My obligations were the same as regards my work before I married as now. I know of others in the same positions myself who are quite willing to fight for their King and country, if it is possible for them to go. Perhaps "One Who Knows" can help them. He doesn't discriminate. He includes all and sundry, even the ladies, in his babbling. He is a big coward to attack the newly-mar-ried girls with such mean accusations. He doesn't know what he i.s doing. He evidently thinks that no marriages should be solemnised during this crisis, and of course he includes the whole British Empire. Supposing this war should last for ten years, doe.s he realise the result? If he does lie is playing into the hands of our enemies of the future. If he doesn't, well, he is very dense. Are the Germans discouraging marriages? No; they are encouraging them, and for a very good reason, as the future would prove if we fell in with his ideas. He suggests that farmers are keeping their sons at home in order to make capital out of this horrible war. Where there are large herds to milk it requires large families to milk them and to do the necessary work that big herds entail. "Why consider the farmer?" It isn't a question of considering the fanner. It's the interests of the country that are. to be considered. Tt is imperative that foodstuffs should be produced, and also imperative that skilled factory workers he retained to convert the raw material into .edibles. Are the farmers responsible for the high prices which are being paid for their produce? Xo! They abide bv the market fluctuations. The suppliers of the Tariki cheese factory, at their last general meeting, contributed £IOO to the Sick and Wounded Fund out of their 'blood-money bonus," and also, I believe, % per cent, of the whole season's output. Subscriptions to the various patriotic funds in Tariki have amounted to the creditable sum of about £4OO. Such a result could not have been attained had it not been for the fanners' good year, the man who rises with tlie tui and retires with the morepork (whatever time that is), whilst "One Who Knows" is rendering "nasal discords." The only thing, Sir, to stop such budding corespondents as "One Who Knows" and their methods to incite enlisting (which, by the way, hinder instead of help) is conscription. The authorities have our registration papers, and it is for them to say who is to go and who is not. To pacify "One Who Knows," — I am ,etc„ "A SHIRKER." Tariki, November 0, 1910.