URGENT CALL ANSWERED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 18, 21 January 1916, Page 7

URGENT CALL ANSWERED.

THIRTEENTH REINFORCEMENT FILLING THE LIST. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") ! WELLINGTON, this day. The general position with regard to recruiting continues to be good, though it ie highly important that the improved rate of enlktment recorded einoe the holidays should be maintained. Men have been coming forward in large numbers lately, and now the Eleventh and Twelfth Reinforcemente are full the Defence Department is able to add recruits to the lists for the Thirteenth Reinforcements, which are to be called up on February Btb. If the rate is maintained, the next draft should enter camp in full strength. The attainment of a thoroughly satisfactory position depends upon the maintenance of the improved rate of enlistment, and the Defence authorities urge that eligible men should not hold back merely because they hear that othens are coming forward. The improvement is due to the fact that the urgent call has been answered by hundreds of men, and many hundreds more are wanted for drafts in the near future. This applies particularly to the infantry. The Department could do without any more ambulance or artillery Tecruite for many months to come. The waiting list for the artillery branch in Wellington ie co long that the men at the bottom stand a chance of never getting called up at all, but the demand for infantry is immediate and constant. "The Eleventh and Twelfth Reinforcements are full," said the Minister for Defence (the Hon. James Allen) yesterday. "The men required by the Defence Department in all branches have been found, and are now in camp. The Department will hand over the recruiting system to the Recruiting Board with no outstanding obligations. I believe that we shall get the Thirteenth Reinforcement next month without any shortage. After that the responsibility will reet with the Recruiting Board." The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) also mentioned the improvement in recruiting yesterday, lie said that his expectation of a marked revival after the holidays hnd been fulfilled. Men were now coming forward well, and, as king as they continued to do that, the Government would have no cause for anxiety regarding the maintenance of the Expeditionary Forces. Mr. Maeeey added that eligible men must not think they were not required merely becauec other men were coming 'forward. The improved rate of recruiting needed to be maintained, and every man who could do so ought to Tcpster and state when he would be available for service. Referring to the work of the Recruiting Board, of which he is chairman, Mr. Massey said that the circular lettora which were to be forwarded to the varioue local bodies in connection with the new scheme waa ready. The printing of the alphabetical 'iste of men of mili tary age was proceeding in the Government Printing Office, and the district organisations would begin to take chape soon. There was no immediate shortage of recruits, but he wanted to have the new system in working order as quickly as possible, .''j; have received a great number qf communications from local bodies and representative men throughout New Zealand offering to assist in the work of the Recruiting Board," added Mr. Maescy. "I have had also many letters from men who were included in the 34,000 shown in tho National Register as -unwilling to give any service, military or civil. These men have stated tliat they filled up their forms under a misapprehension, or that they have since changed their views, and they are now willing to serve in any capacity, The National Register forms will be amended accordingly. I have no doubt that similar letters have come to hand in other quarters."