RECRUITING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 32, 7 February 1916, Page 8

RECRUITING.

J." THE NEW SCHEME, f A 00-OPERATXVE EFFORT. Z BOARD'S FIEST APPEAL. (Bj- Telegraph—'Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day,

The new Recruiting Board took up its duties this week. The secretary hae taken up his quarters with the staff in the old Parliamentary Buildings. Cm Saturday evening circulars with full details of the new scheme were sent to all members of the Legislature, mayors, local body chairmen, and all others engaged in recruiting work.

In a covering letter to members of the Legislature the Board states, among other things: — "The exigencies of the war and the serious issues at stake have led the National Cabinet to decide'upon a new recruiting system. It is now proposed to secure the active sympathy and cooperation of the several local authorities of the Dominion and of the patriotic organisations that have already rendered such admirable services to the nation, which we are confident will be continued. As members of the Recruiting Board entrusted with the direction of the new (scheme, we are, therefore, addressing you. and through you the members of your organisation, in the confident assurance that you will lend all possible assistance to the movement now being anode to maintain recruiting at the strength required for the fulfilment of our engagements with the British authorities. It is no small thing that New Zealand lias already accomplished. We have a right _to be proud of the magnificent response that hns been made by our gallant sons to the call of the Empire. But although we have sent 34,000 men into the fighting line and another 4.000 men arc training, the demands of the "war are such that we Icannot afford to let it rest at that. Greater and still greater effort and sacrifice are required if we intend to make euro of success- —and anything elee is unthinkable to men of British birth or descent. Especially is this so now we know the exteDt of Germany's designs, and that her ulterior object in the present war was the destruction of the British Empire and the complete subjugation of the British overseas Dominions and dependencies, to which, Dr Putnam, *he distinguished American writer, tells us, 'Germany has long expected to become the heir." 2,350 REINFORCEMENTS MONTHLY. "It is essential that for tic next 12 months —and possibly longer—we should be prepared to eend four-weekly reinforcements of 2.350 men into the firing: line. It is not suggested that we have by any means exhausted the possibility of voluntary enlistment. The national register shows that the required men can be obtained without unduly straining the resources of the country or seriously impairing its industrial function. But with the many conflicting accounts of the probable duration and of the exhaustion of the enemy's resources, there is the obvious danger that many who would otherwise volunteer for the front may arrive at the conclusion that the war will be ovpr before they can render nny inaterinl assistance, nnd that their time would thus be wasted by entering camp. It is part of our duty to combat that idea. At present it is impossible to forecast the duration of the war. Earl KitcheneT has apparently seen no reason to alter his opinion— expressed at the ronimenccment of tho war —that we must be prepared for nt least three years' strupglo, and possibly for longer. Our duty is therefore clear. We must be prepared at every point and stop short of no sacrifice that will enable us to fulfil our part in the war.

FOR THE CC«JMON GOOD. "On behalf of tl.e National Government we very gratefully recognise the valuable work your society has rendered to the State in furthering the intcreste of the Empire. The duties so admirably discharged by your organisation in the past justify the conclusion that you will not bo found wanting in the greateT business of the present. May we suggest the following ways in which you may help the present effort: —

"(1) By co-operating with the local bodies in your district in the formation of jeenrjting committees and co-ordinat-ing any efforts you may be making with those of the local bodies referred to.

"(2) By sinking all personal differences in regard to this policy or tost, and by recognising that the common good demands united action and the absence of all controversy that may endanger the success of the recruiting movement.

"(3) By refraining from, and discouraging, all attempts at the victimisation of possible recruits and avoiding inquisitoral or personal questions when dealing with such likely mon.

"The accompanying paper will give you an idea of the 6Cope and policy of the new Teoruiting movement. May we again ask for your co-operation and assistance? We are. sufficiently assured by your past actions of your desire to further the interests of the Empire, and feel sure that we can confidently leave the matter in your hands, as we are convinced you will exert yourself to the utmost to secure the success of the new campaign. "Yours in the service of the King, nation and Empire. "Signed) W. F. MASSEY, Chairman. "J. G. WARD, "J. AlliEN, ■'Members of the. Board.'