NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15485, 12 January 1916, Page 6

NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

OUTLINED BY PRIME MINISTER. . BADGES FOR MEN WHO ATTEST. (rRESS ASSOCIATION" TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. January 11. At a meeting of the Recruiting Board, hold yesterday, presided over by the Prime Minister, a scheme of recruiting to enablo the Dominion to fulfil its obligations to tho Imperial Government during tho present year was under consideration. An out- j line of the scheme, as adopted by the Board, has now been issued by the; Primo Minister. The scheme provides for tho duties of the Recruiting Board and tho organisation and duties of recruiting committees in various parts of the Dominion. An important feature of tho scheme is tho decision to issue badges to those who attest. Members of the Board believo that the wearing of these badges will act as a great help to the recruiting movement. The necessary detailed instructions to give effect to the scheme are nowbeing prepared, and will in duo course be issued to the recruiting committees. After dealing with tho duties, etc., Of the Board (as already published), the scheme refers to the district work and organisation of the recruiting committees : ! (1) Pending the preparation of alphabetical rolls by the Government Statistician, it is intended that the following bodies shall be ashed if they i are willing to co-operate with the Ro-! cruiting Board by the formation of recruiting committees : (a) County councils. (b) City and borough councils. (c) Town boards. (d) Existing recruiting organisations not included in (a), (b), or (c). (2) In addition to the above, it may also bo considered advisable to secure the co-operation of tho following: (a) Farmers' unions. .(b) Labour unions. (c) School committees. • (d), Road boards. The great essential is that the committeo shall be capable of appealing to all classes. (3) It is definitely laid down that no person engaged in a personal canvass shall be a man himself eligible for service, .unless he has enlisted. The recruiting committees are to ascertain from group officers what men have not been approached in their locality, and also to ascertain the names of men who have apparently no good excuse for declining to volunteer, and, further, to ensure that a personal appeal is made by the person likely to have tho greatest influence over the possiblo recruit. It has been decided that the system of badges sliall be instituted in appropriate colours, to tie issued: (a) To those who have attested and are waiting to be called up. (b) To those who have enlisted, but who may bo rejected as physically unfit or on other grounds. (c) To those who have enlisted, but who may afterwards be exempted for special reasons.' (d) To members of the Expeditionary Forces who nave i returned to the Dominion from active service. Heavy penalties will be provided for falsely wearing badges.