Skegness Magazine

IS IT FAIR?

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1915

Letter to the Editor:

Sir, – Will you grant me a small space in your paper to call attention to a matter on which myself and other professional photographers in the town entertain rather strong feelings.
Whilst in no way desiring to advertise the fact, I may point out that since the mobilisation of Territorials in August last I have been serving my King and Country, my business during that absence being carried on by my father to the best of his ability.
One of my professional competitors has other dependent upon him, whilst the remaining two are married men with wives and families to support. I fully recognise their responsibilities and do not grumble at the fact that they are not serving like myself. But I do think, Sir, that under the circumstances what little bit of trade there is at present doing should be done by professional photographers in order to keep their businesses together and to support themselves and their households.

No amateur photographer who has a regular weekly income should at this time enter into competition with established photographers of this place, which I regret to say is the case.

A certain minister of religion in Skegness, who is an amateur photographer, has for some time been engaged in touting among the soldiers here to take their photographs, and that his action has and is doing mine and other businesses great harm, I know from personal observation and enquiries.

I feel sure your readers will agree with me that this minister, having a good regular income should not attempt to compete with us as he is doing, and hope that this letter may have the effect of drawing public attention to what I and my brother photographers regard as a very unfair and unkindactio.

Signed – Sergt H Smyth – a member of the Skegness Territorials.