WHANGAREI RECRUITING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 66, 17 March 1916, Page 2

WHANGAREI RECRUITING.

ROUKDIXG UP THE SHIRKERS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WHAXGAREI, Thursday. As a result of the public meeting in the Municipal Chambers last night, convened by the Mayor of Whangarei (Mr. D. W. Jack), the necessary civilian assistance towards fulfilling the task which the local bodies have undertaken at the request of the Government Recruiting Board is now assured. Previous to this, in spite of two Cabinet Ministers having delivered addresses outlining the scheme to Whangarei audiences explaining the means by which it was proposed to give the voluntary gvstem a further trial, the public response to the appeal for volunteers to carry out the work was somewhat disappointing, but this seems to have been largely due to misapprehension, that the-only- service required from those willing to help wa3 to round np the ! "shirkers." I The Municipal Chamber was well filled ! last night, when Mr. D. W. Jack, the Mayor, in stating the purpose for which the meeting had been called, said no doubt many were of opinion that conscription -was the only solution of the I recruiting problem, but the Government I Recruiting Board had decided on giving j the volnntary system the fullest trial, and the local'bodies were asked to assist in compiling an accurate roll of men of; military age in the Dominion who were i eligible" for service, who were willing to serve, and who should be exempted. The response for canvassers which he (the Mayor) had made had been very poor. Only three or four had come forward, and at present only 60 card 3 J had been filled in out of GOO in the borousrh. Volunteers were wanted to undertake the canvass of names most familiar to them. Mr. Marwick, acting Town Clerk, had undertaken the position of secretary to the Recruiting Committee, and had completed numbering and typing of names and addresses of all names within the borough. He hard also undertaken to do the county roll as soon as a further supply of cards 'was available, and each riding member of the County Council had sorted out the names in the different ridings. When | these were ready no doubt each riding councillor would obtain necessary civilian assistance in getting the cards filled ■ in. In concluding hie remarks, Mr. I Jack said even now some people did not seem to realise the importance of keeping, up a continual supply of men to I "■supp'orf fhose who had already gone to ; the front. It was up to those who for , various reasons had to stop behind to do all they could to assist, by doing all in their power to keep up the reinforcements to fill up gaps. Every man sent from Sew Zealand or our allies tended to shorten the duration of the war. Therefore, the least ■Wβ can do •who cannot go to fight is to render , assistance in compiling these rolls of men available for military service that the Government has asked for. Lieut.-Colonel Stcadman said the matl ter wae most urgent, and tfne more! i delay in sending reinforcements the less! ! hope there was of eeeing our boys back • : again?" Fe°rsaps- a -public ;demOHetra.ttc*n • 'atfrsteU'Va military band, on, eay,a| I Saturday night, when the streets were' : crowded, might help to bring the home j jto the public. He could not understand j why anybody could fail to realise the i unrency of the matter, or why those j able and fit to go should hang'baek. i Mr. Chadwir. asked if canvasers would have nothing to do -with those who have filled in the National Registration cards satisfactorily. j Mr. Jack explained that the scheme applied to everybody of military age. ! The particulars given on the National I Registration cards given under ! pledge of confidence. What they wanted j was a complete new roll. Mr. H. Weaver asked if it was proposed to allot different streets to each canvasser. Mr. Jack said it would be better if each canvasser took cards containing the names he was most familiar with. Mr. Tibbitte said he wmhed to apolo- . gije .'for.himself and others over military 'age. who had.not come forward, owing to not understanding the position. Since , tSic Mayor's explanation the matter took a totally different light. Mr. Chadwin said the whole question ; had been simplified. Hitherto they had been under the impression that their duty .-w«e to look out for shirkers. Mr. Jack called for volunteers to assist in canvassing, stating it would not be right to ask men of military age to undertake the duty, v they might be met with the query of "Why don't yon Igo yourself?" The following gentlemen immediately offered their services and gathered round the tables, when all the names i and cards were gone through, and ap- , portioned to each individual canvasser: . Messrs. D. W. Jack (Mayor), J. W. , Goeect, H. Weaver, H. Hannam, T. H. Steadman, A. F. C. Coates, J. E. K. Clifford, D. Patterson, A. M. McLeod, E. G. X. Tibbitse, John McKinnon, W. Chadwin, R. C. M. Harrington, J. North, N McKenzie, J. W. Ball, H. Butterworth, A. E. Marwick (secretary), Councillors E. W. Tatfley. J. A. Finhyson and H. Keay, of the Whangarei County Council, who -were present, undertook to take charge of the county roll, in order to have the work in connection with this pushed forward. Now that the matter has been taken in hand so thoroughly, it is expected that the complete canvass and return of Whangarei borough and county will be effected with very little delay.