EMPLOYERS AND ENLISTMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1916, Page 6

EMPLOYERS AND ENLISTMENT.

To the Editor., Sir,—Votir correspondent "X" deals with tilings as they should be; not as they are. It is all very well to talk »/ the duty of the Government. We know it should have tackled the conscription question at the beginning of the war and put tilings on the only proper basis. hut it did not, and, in its wisdom, it b exhausting every means of voluntaryism before resorting to compulsoryism. The neglect of the Government is no excuse for any section of the public neglecting its duty. Employers, and every other part of the community, should give the Defence authorities all the assistance they can to procure men. Employers can help materially by simply refusing to employ eligibles, giving preference to married men and women, where possible. As for the farmers, they, too, have their duty to perform in the same way. In very many instances in Taranaki I know of, they and their womenfolk are working like slaves in order to let their sons and other eligible? go to tlie war. Others are holding back, but they, too, must soon realise that compared with winning the war nothing else matters, and that no sacrifice to that end can be too great. As for employers of military age, where they can they must also take their part. Many in Taranaki are doing it cheerfully, giving up businesses and professions that have taken years to build up 'in order to serve their country. In fact, the- way in which so many of the professional men of Taranaki are sacrificing their all is one of the bright pages of provincial war efforts. I seek to justify shirking on no one's part. I only desire to point a way whereby employers can serve the Great Cause. "X" might help himself by making the most of our present opportunities instead of animaverting upon things that ought to be. In other words, he should be a little more pertinent and less impertinent. Then his criticism may serve a purpose. —I am, etc., EMPLOYER NO. 2.