SHIRKERS IN SHOPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1916, Page 3

SHIRKERS IN SHOPS.

To the Editor Sir—l noticed with pleasure "Employer's" suggestion in your paper today to the Recruiting Committee that they provide employers with notices that they employ no eligibles for service. In no town in New Zealand is it more needed than in New IPlymouth. There are Shops and chops—and oflices, too —where there are strong, ablebodied young men serving and doing other work that could just as easily be done by old people or women. In my opinion, behind the counter is no place at any time for a man in full possession of his physical faculties! Just now, his presence there is an affront to the community and a disgrace to himself, I hand yon, Sir, the name of one employer seeking the patronage of the public who to my knowledge Ims 'at lease three eligibles, who have openly boasted that (he front is "no place for thorn, but is only for the fools mlio don't know any better." Friends have reasoned with them in vain. The only way to force them to the right view of their duty is for the employer to discharge them. He. too, has been approached, but he says times are good with him (he is sharing in the bloated war prices exacted from a suffering public) and men are not so easy to get, and he therefore cannot see his way to do anything. Now, this being his attitude, selfish as it is to the very core, I submit that the public should boycott him and so relieve him o:' any necessity for employing labor at all. The public has its duty to perform, as well as eligibles and employers of labor. It should not shirk it. Every business employing eligibles •should be boycotted bard: It is no use going about It half-heartedly. Public opinion can make itself felt swiftly and deadly, if it is roused. And I think the present is a time when it should be roused. Employers can oe

given exemption posters with the inscription, "We employ no shirkers," duly attested by the local Recruiting Board. And public opinion must be left to do the rest. I hope the force ot the suggestion put forth 'by your correspondent will appeal to the local Recruiting Board and so give a lead not only to the local community but to the whole of New Zealand.—l am, etc., EMPLOYER No. 2.