MR ALLEN'S PLEDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 49, 26 February 1916, Page 9

MR ALLEN'S PLEDGE.

SHOULD THE PKKBHEB FOLLOW SUIT? NEW SCHEME'S PROSPECTS. POSITION m AUCKLAND. The threat reported to have been made by the Annister for Defence (the Hon. J as. Allen), in addressing the St. Kilda Council, that in the event of the latest recruiting scheme failing, and the Government declining to bring in compulsion, he will retire from oln'ce, is of much interest and importance to those local bodies which iave approved the "personal appeal" scheme, and are faced with the task of canvassing their districts for enlistments. The situation is all the more piquant because up to date the Prime Minister has resolutely declined to give a pledge similar to that which was associated with Earl Derby's recruiting scheme that all eligible single men would be called upon to serve before the married, men who undertook to enlist "if required" were called upon to discharge their obligations. Asked this morning whether the Defence Minister's pledge, if followed by a declaration by the Premier with regard to compulsion for single men, would assist the City Council in its pledge to take all practicable steps to assist the scheme, the Mayor of Auckland laid emphasis on the desire of the City Council to -loyally co-operate with the Government, but added that he had to confess that he did not see at the present time what was the best method of complying with the Government's wishes. A lot had been said and written on the new recruiting scheme, but so far there had been no practicable result. During the last nine months, in his mayoral capacity, he had repeatedly appealed to the eligible men of the community to offer their services, and these had been co-inerdental with similar appeals by public men and the Press. After the threatened serious shortage at the end of last year there was a very notable revival up to and after the Xew Year, but since then, contrary to anticipations, there had been a very appreciable slackening. The question" now was whether the quota nominated by the Government could be maintained try the voluntary system.

STILL ANOTHER CARD. " I can only s.peak as far as Auckland U concerned," continued Mr. Gunson, "that if local camps and direct enlistment were conceded by the Government there would be. at once' a very marked revival in recruiting, and ajl the men necessary, at any rate for many months to come, would be forthcoming.

To mc that affords the first answer to the present scarcity. However, if the Government continues to refuse to consider these suggestions then all that is left is for local bodies to co-operate in every practicable way with the Government in carrying out the policy determined upon, however much that policy may differ from their own views. For my own part I am perfectly prepared to do this, but it will be futile to beat the air in talking from public platforms to audiences which ara not composed of eligible men. I think the attitude of the Minister; ior. Defence, as reported from Duuedin,f.,ik ;tj»e\,flnly.' possible one, namely, that if the voluntary system fails, which I submit it will not if the position ia properly handled, resort must be made to compulsion. I hope the Prime Minister, as the head of the Government, will m&ke some such definite statement ac the Defence Alinstcr has made."

PLEDGE TO THE MARRIED. Asked whether an additional promise to introduce compulsion for single men before the married men responding to the new scheme are called upon wouicl strengthen the hands of local recruiting I committees. Mr. Gonson replied: "'Certainly. 1 think it ie the only course to ibe adopted, especially in view of the preicedent set by Great Britain. It is a 'very serious matter to allow large nuin- ! bers of single men without dependents Ito remain in the country, while married ' men are leaving d«)andents who constii tute a heavy responsibility on the State j and the Patriotic Societies." I MOUNT ALBERT MAYOR'S VIEW. ! A somewhat different view of the Mini ister'e action was expressed by the Mayor of Mount Albert (Mr. Murdoch McLean), who said that he ha.d always strongly favoured 'compulsion, and regarded the Minister's action in offering' such an inducement to the St. KiJda Council to do his duty «s a sign of weakness. He strongly agreed with the Mayor of Auckland that a pledge should be "given by the Prime Minister that single men, with and without encumbrances, should he made to serve hefore married m«n. Strong action such ac that would simplify the task of local bodies in carrying out the new scheme.