SLACKNESS OF RECRUITING IN CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15453, 4 December 1915, Page 12

SLACKNESS OF RECRUITING IN CANTERBURY.

CAUSES AND SUGGESTED REMEDIES. INFORMATIVE FIGURES.

'One thousand men aro wanted to register at onco to make up tho 600 that are required as tho balance of the infantry for the Eleventh Reinforcements going into camp on December 14th. If these men are not forthcoming at the required date, it will mean that New Zealand, for tho first time, has failed to fulfil tho definite pledge given to the Imperial Government, and more than that, we will havo failed in our duty to oui own force in tho field by maintaining them at the full strength required." Thus runs an urgent appeal issued by the Defence authorities in "Wellington. What is Canterbury doing to supply her quota of the Eleventh Reinforcements? Very little. Fo r some months past tho Canterbury military district, which embraces Nelson and Marlborough and tho "West Coast, has been failing to meet the demands made upon it, and North Island districts havo been called upon to inako up tho shortage, and now, no doubt possibly duo to tho annroach of Christmas, they appear to be temporarily pumped dry. CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.

What has been the causo of tho poor response in this district to the call to arms? A "Press" reporter .yesterday mado enquiries in several directions, and ho received a. variety of reasons. During Dr. MeNab's recent recruiting tour tho Minister was informed in practically every district he visited of whole families of shirkers, not one of whom appeared to have any intention of enlisting, whilst across tho way would bo other families all tho members of which had gone to tho front. Many of theso families of shirkers were very well nossesseel of this world's goods, and no privation Or pecuniary hardship would have been entailed to dependents if misfortuno had overtaken them in the firing-line. Naturallv. these men kept away from the recruiting meetings, and consequently the Minister's words failed to roach them. Captain J. A. Northcotc, officer in charge of tho Christchurch area district, in conversation with tho pressman yesterday, stated that lio had received tho samo information, tho Hawarden district, in particular, winning much notoriety in this respect. RECRUITING METHODS. Tho question arises: Do recruiting meetings possess any value? What liavo been tho net results of Dr. McNab's strenuous recruiting tour? Instead of registrations increasing they have considerably fallen away since the Minister initiated his North Canterbury campaign. In the minds of some peoplo a recruiting meeting is comparable to a clergyman in the pulpit declaiming to a congregation against the sins of the people who keep away from church. The persons whom tho words are to affect do not hear them. Certainly there was a very fair proportion of young men at the Minister's meetings v but the great majority comprised older men and women. Many persons connected with tho recruiting movement aro advocating tho dropping of "kid glove methods" and tho adoption of means that will placo young men without responsibilities in a very invidious position. RETURNED SOLDIERS' SCHEME. Fefhaps the strongest advocates of this causo of action are many of tho returned soldiers, who have a scheme

in hand which is not yet fully matured "It is no good trying the pretty business with these shirkern any longer." remarked one of a group witli whom the pressman was conversing. "Wo aro going to adopt certain means shortly which will make it so uncomfortable for these fellows that the country will be too hot to hold them, but "you may take it from me it will not be recruiting meetings, and tho saying of nice-mannered words." More than that about their scheme the soldiers would not tell, but they stated that they were hqkling another mooting sliortiv. at which matters would probably take final shape. '■I cannot understand these fellows hanging back," remarked another soldier. "By enlisting for active service, they will see more in one day than they ever have in their lives before: they will see the world, have plenty ol adventure and glory, and last, but not least, will be men. True, a man may lose a leg or his eyesight at the front, but be can just as easily do so in crossing Cathedral square, and lie will not possibly receive the same financial, compensation that he will for bein<r injured whilst on active service." Thcso returned soldiers slated that they made it a point of continually pleading with their mates who had stayed at home, to enlist, and the appeals had been successful in many instances. "DISCHARGE SHIRKERS.'* • "The only way to get recruits is for the employers to discharge every man of military ago lit to go to the iront," declared a prominent official of tho C.D.C. "And 1_ think they can safely leave the eligible wealthy man to t*o returned soldiers to enlist."

Wliilst he was speaking to the Pressman a young nuni who had registered for active service came in with his medical papers. At the medical examination' he had been declared temporarily unlit, requiring an operation for a slight defect. He had gone to the Public Hospital and undergone the operation. Returning to the military doetor, who had examined him, he was informed that his chest was a quarter of an inch below the standard measurement, and must stand down. The young man, who was keen, was advised to go to a physical culture instructor, who would enable him to secure tho desired chest measurement within a month. "Fancy that young fellowj being turned down for that,"' remarked the C.D.C. man. "when he should be in camp, where lie could quickly attain the desired standard, whilst at tho same time being trained for active service. That young fellow would have been amply justified in losing his patience and throwing up all intention of enlisting. It is only 0110 example out of mauv of the way the Government arc lo«iag hundreds of desirable recruits." A BIG LEAKAGE. A hig leakage in the recruiting figures is due to the Government's refusal to swear men in as soon as they enlist. There appear on the files of the '.-Viristehurck Area Office alone the names of over 400 men declared temporarily unfit, since the beginning of ] the year. Of these. 138 were declared temporarily unfit through dental troubles alone. A few.of the men temporarily rejected have their defects remedied and report themselves a« fit: the great majority are, however, never seen again. Moreover, this year there has been a leakage of something like GO lit men in the Christchurch district, men j who were called' up to so into camp

but failed to answer the roll-call. The Christchurch area district is but ouc of five in the Canterbury military district, the Canterbury military district is but one of four comprised in the New Zealand defence scheme. A little simple multiplication will demonstrate tho big leakage that is happening, due largely to the authorities' refusal to swear men in as soon as they register. It does not mean that because a man is sworn in that he is required to givo up his work lie can continue at his employment and bo called up in the ordinary way -when required to go into camp. Arrangements have now been made with the dentists of Christchurch for dentists to attend the medical examinations of recruits and take charts of the teeth. Next Tuesday evening three dentists will attend, and aitcr charting the recruits' mouths will seud them round to various dentists. Tho rush, on the hospital which has arisen or late should therefore abate. "WOMEN'S INFLUENCE. Chatting with the pressman yesterday Lieutenant A. -\. Oakey, wno recently returned from the front, expressed the opinion that tho slackness of recruiting was largely duo to the great majority of women in New Zealand failing 10 realise that thero was a war on. The women, he considered, c<vuld do a lot for recruiting bv persuading men to enlist, but from what he had heard since he came back, young women particularly were persuading their fiances not to go to tho front. There have been many rumours afloat of fathers threatening to disinherit their sons if they proceed to the front, and military oificers can relate cases of young men in Christchurch who stated that they might think of going to the war if they were guaranteed a commission. At his recruiting meetings Dr. MeNab* stated that a brother of his threw up his commission. ■ preferring to enlist as a private, and I if a young man thought lie would not worry himself to go unless he went with a commission which ho had not earned, he need expect no sympathy from him, tho speaker. THE RECRUITING BOARD. Recently a Recruiting Board was established in Christchurch, and at its last, meeting it was decided to form committees in all the districts to follow up the results of meetings by making personal appeals to young men to enlist. It is proposed to link together under the Board's regis, all the territory bounded by the Conway in tho north, bv the Rakaia in tho south, the dividing rango on the west, and tho sea on the east. According to one of its members the Board is not showing the energy necessary to effect success. It is to be called together next week, when -possibly one or two questions will be asked. "If the Recruiting Board is to justify its existence, it will have to show more action than in the past," remarked the gentleman referred to.

THE'PERSONAL APPEAL. Captain Northcote, who ir, also a member of tho J3oard, considered that iiL all tho country post offices, posters and placards should be displayed and registration cards obtainable within. Tlkto should bo no reason for a man to have to go into town to register. With regard to tho medical examination of Tecruits ir. the country. Captain Northcote stated i "t Dr. Little, of Waikari, had a fi> day in the week at Culverden for examining recruits. If other doctors in the country had set days and such fact was prominently displayed at the local post office, there would" bo no necessity for country recruits to come,into the city at all.. Captain Nonthcot© said that if the Recruiting Board secured the right men to approach those families of young men who had not enlisted and spoko to them in a tactful manner, much good would probably result. , The allotment of tho group system as far as Christchurch and Kaiapoi areas arc concerned. is not causing satisfaction. Kaiapoi runs from South-j bridge to the Cass and then tip north. Whereas Lincoln is in the Christchurch district, Lincoln College is in the Kaiapoi. It is considered that if tlio Kaiapoi recruiting sergeant were stationed in Christchurch instead of at Kaiapoi, he would be able to do better work, as tlio citv is moro centrally .situated for tho district than tho northern centre. EXAMPLE to younger men. One of those who enlisted for active service yesterday was Mr P. Trolove, a gentlemnn well-known in tho city, a married man, well on iu life, with a family and a grandson, whose father is at the front. Mr Trolove was asked by the pressman for a statement as to whv ho had enlisted. "Well, 1 must confess that 1 have had a shock," replied Mr Trolove. "A few days ago I may have idly speculated on my charces of being called out, but since reading the reports of the shortage of recruits, the call to arms has become imperative to me. My reasons? The first, perhaps, is a protest against the present voluntary svfitcm. f maintain that on the outbreak of war national service should automatically come into force. The second motivo is that I feel that the men who don the lcliaki now will he the ones who will bo on hand to give tho final push that will shove the Kaiser off his throiie. Though I ani a little over the age limit, I feel that with a few weeks' hardening up, I could stand the racket."

CANTERBURY'S SHARE. ENLISTMENTS TO DATE. Since tho card system was started on February 15th last there have been over 4130 registrations in this city. No rceord was taken in this city of the number of men who left Canterbury to join the original Samoan Expeditionary Force, but from tho Main ltodv to the Eighth Reinforcements (both inclusive), 118 officers and 5932 non-commispioned officers and men were sent from the district. In addition there were the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Earl of Liverpool's Own, and the 9th and 10th Reinforcements, roughly, another 1500 men. Tho following table gives details: N.C.O*. Officers, and Men. Main Body and Fir3t Reinforcement* •• ..64 3087 Second Koinforoemcnts .. 8 41i2 Third Reinforcements .. 15 2fll Fourth Reinforcement j .. a 3t>3 Fifth Reinforcements .. 4 499 Sixth Reinforcements ■ • 13 553 Special Forco (Earl of Liverpool's Own, Ist and 2nd Battalions) .. .. 4 579 Seventh Reinforcements .. — HOl jiightli Reinforcement 3 .. — SSI Samoan Relief Fore© .1 !)3 Maori Contingent .. — 13 .\rnbulanco ... .. — 50 Tunnelling Corps .. — 49 Tctab .. lIS C9S2 The folio'-ving tables giv c the fijpiroe for the difierent area groups: — CHRISTCHURCH. I X.C.O>. | Officers, and Men. Main Body and First Reinforcements .. .. S'J 714 Second Reinforcements .. 1 172 Third Reinforcements .. :i ]20 Fourth Koinforcementa 2 114 Fifth Reinforcements .. 2 184 Sixth Reinforcements .. 7 170 Seventh Reinforcements .. 2 l.j;l Kizhth Reinforcements .. .'! 249 Samoan iteiief Force .. — 26 Special Force (Lst and 2nd Battalions) .. 2 181 Special Mounted Force — 20 Special Force (3rd and 4th Battalions) .. — 383 Ninth Reinforoementa .. — 334 Tenth Reinforcements .. — 200 Totals .. 52 2631 GROUP 10 (TIMARU). Main Body and First Reinforcements .. ..12 367 Second Reinforcements ..4 OS Third Reinforcements ... 4 105 Fourth Reinforcements .. 5 115 Fifth Reinforcements .. 1 j 105 Sixth Reinforcements .. 4 j H7 Special Force '.Earl of Liver- v

pool's Own, Ist and 2nd Battalions) •• - 129 Seventh Reinforcements .. — 125 Eighth Reinforce jnsnts ■ • 125 Samoan Force •• ..1 39 Totals •• 1003 GROUP 1 (KAIAPOI). ilain Body and First Reinforcements -• ..4 78 Second Reinforcements .. — 10 Third Reinforcements ... — 5 Fourth Reinforcements ..1 4 Filth Reinforcements .. — 14 Sixth Reinforcements ..1 77 Special Forcc (Ist and 2nd Battalions) •• — SO Seventh Reinforcements ... — 60 Samoan Relief Force .. — 5 Eighth Reinforcements .. — SI Tunnoilin? Corps .. — I Ninth Reinforcements .. — 87 Special Korea (3rd and 4th Battalions) .. . - — G2 Tenth Reinforcements .. — 72 Tola's .. <• G44 GROUP 11a (GP.EYMOUTH). Main Bodv and First Reinforcements •• 3 3"4 Second Reinforcements ..2 81 Third Reinforcements ..2 33 Fourth Reinforcements ... 1 59 Fifth Reinforcements .. — 142 Sixth Reinforcements ..1 58 Special Forcc (Ist and 2nd Battalions) .. — S3 Seventh Reinforcements .. — 23 Saraoan .. .. .. — 5 Eighth Reinforcements >. — G3 Tunnelling Corps .. — 38 Ninth Reinforcements 2 74 Totals .. 1:5 1013 GROUP 12 (NELSON). Main Body and First Reinforcements 13 494 Second Reinforcements .. 1 103 Third Reinforcements .. 6 S-T Fourth Reinforcements •• — 77 Fifth Reinforcements .. 1 54 Sixth Reinforcement® .. — 103 Special Force (Ist and 2nd Battalions) .. — ioj Seventh Reinforcements .. — bo Eighth Reinforcements .. — go Tunnelling Corps ~ — o Aintk Iteinforoementa 4 Totals .. 25 * 1223

figures for the week.

Following ore tlio recruitinp figures for f ° r tL ° Cantcrbur y DiaNumbcr Number Number not rejected r> , , „ . mcdically yet ex- eincolnat wranch of Service. lit-. amined. return Mounted llifka ..OS 58 12 Artillery ..107 J 7 1 Engineers .. :•<; 23 5 Signal Scrvico ..14 1 Infantry .. 191 107 43 Army Service Corp 3 SO 7 _ Kidd Ambulance .. 46 15 5 HospitaJ Ship ..9 2 Tunnel le rs . i 3 g Saraoaji Relief H 6 Vetcriaory Corps G — 1 Tota'.a .. CCS 232 CG Tho numbers available on the registration book for each of the Group Arena in the Canterbury district are as follows: — Number rejected Medically Not yet since laet Area, Group. fit. examined, return. Cliristchurch .. 2GI f>9 35 Timaru .. 148 60 12 K&iapoi ... 55 50 G Greymouth 1.. f>9 34 13 Ncleoa t .. 55 14 . —