OLD BACHELORS AND SHIRKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1918, Page 6

OLD BACHELORS AND SHIRKERS.

To the Editor. Sir,—lt is said that "one swallow doesn't make a summer," also mac mere is "one black sheep in every flock." It is quite true that there was an apparently clear case of deliberate shirking of military duty on ihe part of a farmer and his son in Mr Trimble's district a s'hort time ago, which called forth some strong remarks from the Military Service Board. Possibly Mr Trimble had this case in mind when the question of appealing for teachers came before the Education Board meeting 011 Wednesday. But why bring the farmers into the discussion? What have they to do with the teachers' appeals? Evidently Mr Trimble lias been hatching some grievance at his comfortable bachelor's fireside against farmer voter or voters who may not 'have quite pleased him recently, 'this is the sweeping charge lie is reported to have made at the meeting referred to:— "Many of the farmers were enjoying the high prices ruling for produce, and they desired to stay at home to make a lot of money. That was at the bottom of all appeals for exemption from military service." Well, Sir, in mv lengthy farming experience I have never known such an unjust and insulting charge hurled at the bonds of the unlucky farmers before. This, toti, from a confirmed old bachelor, all of which,class, as a matter of course, from a national point of view, are the worst kind of shirker. What difference lias the war made to Mr Trimble? Not an atom. He can sit at his ease because lie doesn't, bother to produce anything worth while, and heap insults on all and sundry who appeal against going tn fight for him, while their women and children are left to struggle on as best they can to keep up production, and hold the home together. Why, T could take him to farms to-day that have not a man 011 them of any kind, ana i-il warrant they produce more to the acre by far than his farm does. He is over the ago limit to enlist, of course, but aoout the South African war, Ims .he any medals from there ? Now, if I were he I would go down to one of the camps and offer to peel potatoes for the boys. That would be doing a useful service, anyway, and 110 doubt the boys would give him a hearty welcome. And —well, he never would be missed!—l am, etc., H. J. Hangorei, August loth, 1918.