INFANTRY SHORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 49, 26 February 1916, Page 6

INFANTRY SHORT.

OTHER BRANCHES OVER-FULL.

(Bj Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day". There is still some difficulty in filling the Infantry quota for the Fourteentn Reiuforcemente in the Christchurch area group. The total required ie 110, but up to the present only 51 names have been placed on the books. The balance of 59 6hould be made up by March 8. In addition to 51 men paaeed as fit, there are about 30 who have volunteered for the but who have not yet been (medically examined. Even if these are passed by the doctor there would still be a shortage of about 10. The shortage occurs only in the Infantry, which seems to be the least popular arm of the service. All other quotas for the citys complement of the Fourteenth are full. In most cases, indeed, there are substantial surpluses. Artillery, Ambulance and Army Service Corps are the most popular arms, and many men from the country favour the Mounted Corps. Though the Infantry for the city's quotH is short ■by 59, in all the other arms combined there is a surplus of 146.

Speaking at a recruiting meeting tonight, Mr Isitt said that people could not realise the gTavity of the position, or they would not waste eight millions in gambling and drink. Personally, thought the pensions paid were not as generous aa might well be, and agreed that 6oldiere should be .paid more than they got as civilians. He would tax war profits. As it was, they let one man go and sacrifice his life, and another stay at home and get rich. That was absolutely WTOng. Mr Douga.ll, president of the Navy League, said that hundreds of men had been lost because no local receiving camp was available.

A little over a month ago an appeal was made by the Salvation Army to raise £2,000 to be utilised in equipping and purchasing a home for girls orphaned by the war. . The resulting subscriptions have exceeded the appeal by £72 3/-, including fifteen sums of £ 100 each, seven of £50 each, and four of £25 each. Accommodation will be provided at the home for 40 girls between the ages of 6 and 14 years. Builders are now engaged in making the required alterationa to "The Grange," a property that the Army has leased for the purpose of converting into the home. Any surplus of the amount subscribed for equipping the home will be i demoted to a similar need of a boy* tOK.C v the South. ".