RECRUITING.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15561, 10 April 1916, Page 9

RECRUITING.

appeal to men

JIESSAGE FROM THE FRIME

WELLINGTON, April ?. The Prime Minister has is.-uod the .VjlloTvins appeal: . ''The roturn oi incn nihatcj lor tho loth Hcinforccuicnts in all military districts, but mote particularly in Auckland and ■Wellington military disshow* a very great excess ol' eniistnients l«r all brandies of the serrico other than 1 ask those men to .-tand by their fellow-New Zeatander.- w!io have already achieved imjorishablc fame, and b« prepared to do vhat their comrades already in camp 3arc ~o cheerfully and v. dnng]\ qoiic, md olfer tlicir services when; they arc -aiost needed. The need is urgent. If ' ihe enemy wins, Democracy will be dostroved !'ir generations to come, and it Mack shadow thrown over the brightest spots oi" tile world. I make an earnest appeal to ever- man who s uoiv registered in the over-full branches of the .service to rise to the occasion and show himself a man. m deed is well as in intention, and place bis services freely and at once at the disposal d? the Defence authorities. The opportunity and the privilege arc stiil open ij hint and to every otiicr eligible cititen of military ago to voluntarily join nith the flower of the Dominion's manhood and fare forth in this great and glorious adventure across tho seas in defence of the liberty of the individual against the despotism of an unscrupulous and inhuman foe.

"Tlio suggestion is made in different portions of the Dominion from time to time that the Covernment is not. setting a good example to private individuals and employers by its disinclination to release fit and eligible public servants from their duties tor service with the Expeditionary Forces. Hut what is the real position't A return of thc> actual enlistments of members of Ibo Public Service (exclusive of tho employees of the Railway Department) un to the March Hist last, shows that 166S public servants are. now serving their King and Country in the lixpeditionary Forces. The total liuraber of public servants under the control of the Public Commissioners is about JO,OOO, comprising men, women, and boys. It will thus be seen that about one-sixth of tho total strength of the Public Service has actually enlisted, and gone on activo service" in addition to the men who havo been accepted. Thero is a considerably number who havo offered to serve, bu,t have been rejected as unable to comply with defence requirements, but tlie actpal number is not at present available. The record of tho employees of tho "Railway Department is equally line, particularly when it is remembered that tho authorities found it necessary to eloso down <ia further rnlistraents of railway servants owing to llie absolute need of retaining a cer;ain proportion of young activo men \-n keep the train services of tho Department running safely. Out of a total strength of about 12,000 men. no less than 1700 have actually been grant?d leave to enlist for servicc with tho forces, or about one-seventh of tho whole. Tho total enlistments, therefore, from tho combined services, number 3368. I think it -will bo admitted that tho abovo fibres of tho actual enlistments constitute a Teeord of which the Public Servico mar well be proud, and speaks volumes for the sense of duty and patriotism animating tho eligible men in tho employ of tho State."

C.D.C. AND MINISTER. Messrs A. .J. Symon, J. Turnbull. and J. D. Millton, membors of the C.D.C., jrhit-h has undertaken the work of re:ruiting in Christcliurch, accompanied the Hon. James Allen from Christchurch to Lyttelton on Saturday night, in order to discuss tho question of recruiting with him. The deputation brought -under tho notieo of tho Minister tho difficulties that arisen under category "B" of the recruiting regulations. They stated that thero wero a largo number of married men who wero willing to onlist under tho "B" category, but they adranfced the objection that they might bo called on to come forward at any time, possibly in a -week or two, and that they objected to bo called on before all the single men were enlisted.

The Minister stated that as tho regulations stood that contingency of being called up in a short timo was perfectly possible, but, for his own part, he would not adviso tlio Recruiting Board to call up tho married men.

Mr Millton stated that tho only thiHg these men wanted was an assurance from the Government that they should not bo called on till tho single men had been called up, and that they should not bo called up at short notice. The Minister stated that tiro matter reste<l with tho Recruiting Board, and lie would refer tho matter to ft.

PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

A representative of "Tho Press" in-> terviewed the Hon. James Allen on his nay from Cbristchurch to Port on Saturday night. Asked whether thero was anything new to say iu regard to tho recruiting campaign, Mr Allen stated that the work of organisation was well forward in Otago. In Oamaru special efforts had been made, and ho hoped that good results would ensue. Speaking in regard to tho work that tlio C.TJ.C. had done, the Hon. Mr Allen stated that too much praise could not bo bestowed upon the members of that body.' Tho work they had done, was work which should have been undertaken by the local bodies throughout the Dominion. The C.D.C., in making n house-to-houso canvass, were doing tho right thing, and the information the.v wero thus enabled to acquire would be of the utmost value. CONSCRIPTION. FAVOURED BY ASHBURTON FARMERS. At a mcctiug of the Ashburton A. and P. Association on Saturday, the chairman (Mr D. G. "Wright) moved—"That the voluntary system having proved inadequate for tho present requirements 3? tho Empire, tnis committee urges tlio Government to introduce, without 3elay, a system of national service." The chairman stated that lie felt if, was time that some new system 3f organisation should bfc tried in order to meet the country's obligations in regard to recruiting. Men wero nowbeing taken away who were essential for carrying on the work of the country, and men were being left behind who were not essential. It was not for him to say who should go and "who should stay. Ho considered that if tho Association passed tho resolution it would show the Government that they were looking to it to do something in regard to getting some form of national service introduced.

Mr H. E. B!linden said lie would second the motion pro forma. Mr C. Reid said he would second the motion "whole forma." lie considered that some form of national scrvice was

required in New Zealand. Ho felt sure! that the committeo would adopt the resolution unanimously. He had already said a great deal o n this question, and it was not ncccssarv for him to say more. Mr J. Cow said be would support the motion. He considered that the Go»eminent had been wcak-knoed over this matter. He was like Mr lleid, and «as inclined to feel very strongly on the subject, when ho thought of the way they bad been muddling along. Tho '•overnmcnt bad been trying to shu®e the work on to the public, which was wrong. He considered that tho voluntary system was now at an end. considered that the Government should now tackle this nucstion, and be hoped that Parliament would rise to the occasion.

Mr J. Cairns' said that they had heard a lot of talk about what they should do nnd what tliev should not do. For his pnrt. lie considered that tho country had done vcrv well under tho voluntary system. When it had been reported that. 8-5 men had enlisted tinder the present scheme since tho canvassers had been out in the country. it showed that thev were doing vprv well in regard to getting recruits. J!" considered that plenty of men would offer their services when the right time arrived.

The chairman stated that he was not looking at the matter from a county point of view, but for tho Dominion as a whole. It was not bis intention to cast, anv reflection on what the courtv had fln.ne. Mo considered that the Dominion as a whole had not been thoroughly organised. Mr If. E. Biundcn stated that 37.000 nicji had already gone from New Zealand, and 4(100 to 0000 men were still in camn waiting to go away. "When it was taken into consideration that two years ago New Zealand had not been a military country, he considered that it had done vcrv well in regard to sending away soldiers. Xo doubt mistakes had been made by the Government, but after all he did not think that thev had dono so badly as some people had tried to make out.

Mr T. E. Vpton said that tho Government had done well, but ho considered that it was time stens weretaken to rake in some men who were fiying to avoid giving their services. He knew of some people who had six iv seven sons, and not a single one of bad offered thoir services.

Mr Mliintleii stated that ho had heard it sn;i] that poor men's sons were offering their services while rich men's sons wore remaining behind. He quite agreed til at all should bo put on tlio tamo level.

-Mr Unton said that i- Enrdrnd many of the rich men had offered their services in the ranks.

M- Blunden said that conscription would «veii things np and they would then a'i be on the same level.

Mr F. Framnton slid that he was not in favour of the Government asked to bring in national service. He wanted to see the r°auir<?d numher of men aroint; without havinc? to bring in eonscrin+ion. and it was his conviction th"t sufficient men would be procured without it.

Tim chairman said thr-t he took national service to menu that men -would have to show that thev -were profitably einnlovcrl for the 'rood of tho countrv before they erm]d exemption From gom<r. Thev all knew what, had, lin.rmened in Behrinm tlie sobliors had to bo brought buck out of the trenches to h»lr> +o carry on the manufae+nro of nuinitiepß.

M 1 * 0. Tfeid said tl")t if the** f.nrrlrd nn the IV'ble to the Book of Vi.mh»rß, chnnter xxxii.. thev would find +be»*e '•orv stronrr fn conscintion. It, was mont'onerl t^il, two or of the tribes of +'•" Tsranli+n«s did not wfint to crn nnd fight, and thev were t O»"nT3-rlod tf> rrn.

*Af»* "IV, ,T t AToses cavl tbfi 4 -. WO"Id fi"d a W»"r] +I'e WMn in fmrrnir r»f wl*o rl'A mi fro fr> W!i if. ■\v oq c 1 n +-if 7 he t'mt, tnT'"fl '<** +,li« Tinal to he froe+l* f,n

The resolution was then carried

AFFAIRS IN WELLINGTON CITY. THE PERSONAL CANVASS. RECRUITS AND THEIR BADGES. (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, April 8. Recruiting in Wellington City goes on at about the same slow pace that has been the rulo for somo weeks, a paco that is too sknv to supply our quota at tho end of every four-weekly period, when the men should bo. ready for camp. The Recruiting Committee havo now come to tho conclusion that "something must bo done,'" but at this point unanimity seems to end. As a body they still reserve to themselves far too much right °f judgment. They go on discussing whether tho Government's personal canvass scheme is a good one or not, whether it is likely to be effective as to results, and so on. Some speak of tho longdead issues of local camps and pensions by right. TJicy havo not in them the spirit of scrvice. They do not consider it their duty to sink their own ideas or prejudices, and to act on the orders of the only leaders tho peoplo can follow. Everybody knows just as well as tho Recruiting Committee that thero will bo more hard looks than halfpence for the people who go about asking men to enlist, but the recruiting scheme provides for a good deal more than this personal solicitation. The chief purpose of it, in view of events which are 6iiro to come, is the compilation of acciirnto rolls of tho eligible n.en in the community. It is well known that the national register was never complete, and even if it had been accurate to the last man, many men have chauged their places of residence iu tho intervening months since the record was taken. These 'corrections must ]'e made by somebody at some time. Without such a complete and reliable record, it will not be possible to put compulsory service into effect, and most of tho people who now withhold their aid do so because, as they say, they believe that in conscription is* the only solution of our present problems. A meeting is being held on Monday, a f which the executive will invito the aid of voluntary helpers to give the Government scheme a.trial in Wellington. The unfortunate fact is that the public know well, from newspaper reports of injudicious committee discussions. thai, the executive members aro not ;dl in favour of the scheme. It is estimated that it will need 260 canvassers to cover the city in ten days, nnd'at an executive meeting last night, a member of the committeo talked of tho cos?t in the event of these convsvs&ers being paid, saying that it would be at least £1300. However, the committee have no present intention of hiring canvassers, even if fhcro wero 260 suit-r-blo men disengaged and ready to do tho work. Another member of tho Committee suggested that the vo« - k could only bp done by returned soldiers, as they would be the only persons not •ikeiv to g2t rebuffs. Others nave it in mind that the canvass fhou'd bo undertaken by women. Tho fact which v >U very soon become evident if the work is over seriously undertaken is that many more than 260 -workers will be recused and that men, as well as women, will havo to givo much more time to it than they can conveniently spare. It is a very big task, and for many it is likely to prove an unpleasant cad inglorious one. Up till now it seems that tho view of the average man and woman is something like this "Tlio work must be done, but it isn t my job." The committee is being roundly condemned by people who havo no intention of helping. The Govern-

raent cannot do this canvassing, for the public service has been drawn upon very heavily already. Nor will it' be found that the returned soldiers have any appetite for this work. Those who nro lit and -well are in their own post tions. an 1 in anr case tl»cy would rodent being given this very "disagreeable duty at home after having "done their bit" at the front.

There arc weaknesses hero in the control of tho actual registration of recruits. It has been announced repeatedly that no men are wanted for Ambulance, A.S.C., or Artillery, but from day to day lists of "recruits arc published in which there arc occasionally names of men accepted for these oversubscribed branches. Very often there is a good explanation—t£at the men have special qualifications for these branches—but this never satisfies the man who follows after, and, without any special qualifications, demands admission to one or other of these branches. Consequently it has happened that men have.-refused to enter any other branch, nnd some of those have been allowed to sign on for their own choice. The aonea] now made to thewo men to transfer to the Infantrv js not meeting with any response. Apparently these volunteers are wiliing to jvp.it a long time —the longer the better.

'1 hoy re hard to shift, I tell vou; there a.re soni ( > waiting for the 29th*contingent, and 'hen they won't go!" said nn officor of the Doteiicv D"onartment t.io other day. "'For the. life of me ! can t imagine why every young fellow is not keen to Ix 3in it. It comes to' this, that there arc a good many funks, aT }<} '*■ won tbo long before everyone V ill know it. Of course the gentleman who cr.lists-with th e '2'Jth - ,s wants his tiadgo right away. He is most eager To fret his badge, but those who aro enlit-t:iifr so f ;ll . ;l head that they are out of sight do not get a badge, cadges are given only to men who are timed to. go into camp within six months. .They n re tho men who reallv want to go to the front, and who really deserve « protecting badge." Jn point of fact, the badges are not a Protection to anybody, beeatiso they urn not being worn. Only the red armlet for returned men is at all in evidence. Scores of men have khaki armlets in their pockets, but I have hot seen more than half a dozen actually being worn. I havo seen only one unfit badge -worn, and n 0 exempted badges. It would appear that the demand for badges did not come from the. men thev were introduced to protect.

SINGLE MEN AND THE CALL TO SERVE. "That no single man bo allowed to apt as a member of the executive.'' was a resolution moved by Mr Wilfred Johnstone at a meeting of the general committee of the Auckland A. and P Association on Thursday, tlio object of the meeting being to elect- the exeeutivo for tho ensuing year. Tho mover gavo as his reason for the resolution that ho believed all single men should be at or going to the front. Ho would make it "short and plain. Mr T. E. Hayr seconded the resolution. Mr Ben Myers: The motion is too drastic. There, might bo numbers of single men who are not eligiblo for active service. The mover: Who will be the judgo ? Mr Myers: A man's conscience, I suppose. Mr Johnstone: Jn some cases. Mr S. Hodge said if tho chairman would accept it, ho would move, as an amendment, tnat no action be taken. "A\e like to see our young men going to the front," added the speaker, "but wo have no right to tell any man that he should go and be shot for our sakes. Such a drastic resolution might unjustly Ucop some desirable men out of our Association." The president (Mr A. S. Thomson) ruled that tTio amendment was a direct negative. Mr G. J. Garland took strong exception to tho resolution. If tho mover wanted to go to the front, let him go. That was 110 timo or place to talk patriotism. It was probable tho Government would very soon ■ introduce legislation which would require all eligible men to go. Mr Johnstone: A good thing, too. Mr Garlaifd: Perhaps you believe in conscription. I don't. 'Mr Johnstone: I do. Mr Garland: Then probably your iiame will .go into the hat along with others.

Mr Johnstone: lam quite willing for that. 1 am n married man with a familv.

Mr Garland: It is not for you or for me to sit in judgment on any man. Mr S. TV. Luxford (tho late president) thought it untimely to draw a lino between single and married men.

Mr Frank Walters: Jf the resolution js carried, have wo p-ower to prevent single men from acting on the executive ?

Mr A. A. "White: "Wo have no such power.

Mr G. J. Rutherford: The resolution is out of order. Every man has a right to please himself. The President: I do not propose to put the resolution to the meeting. Tho election of the executive was then proceeded ■with.

SIXTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS. Twenty-seven men have so far beeil eccured m the Christchurch group area for the 16th Reinforcements, but in view of tho call that is being mado to meet the deficiencies in the loth Reinforcements, it is possible that this number will be reduced. THE PERSONAL CANVASS. It has been discovered already that one thousand names on tho Chrietchurch ioll issued by tho authorities should not bo on such, but on tho rolls of adjoining districts. Speaking to a ''Press" representative on Saturday, a. prominent member of tho recruiting; branch of the C.D.C. said:—"Wo have heard from other centres examples of a good spirit of patriotism, but. somehow Christchurch has been lacking in recorded instances, so I think that tho following, may servo to show that th 0 fooling ir not non-existant amongst oui young men. Recently a youth came into the C.D.C. recruiting office and asked to bo attested. He was a well-grown and developed youngster, and stated his ago to be *11)}.' "You are a bit on tho young fside, but on account of your size and robustness wo arc inclined to give you a spin and char.w the doctor passing you; particularly as your farm life will liavo tended to mako you stand the rigours of a oampaign; however, you must assure us that your people will not object to you going,' was stated to him. 'Oh no fear of that, as mother said I could come in and soq how I got on, and if I couid not go then 1 could fill the piacc of another man and do his farm work, so as to enable him to get away to the front, and I'll do it if I cannot gelT away myself,' replied tho young man "

SATURDAYS EXLISTIIEXTS, *

Tha following enlisted on Saturday: — David Cairns., 85 Stanmor® road, Christthurc.li. contractor—lniuHry.

Joseph Luoni, 23 Park road, Addington, labourer—lnlantry. Bichard Welsh, 36 Creasy. tarrace, Lytteltcn, railway employee—lnfantry. Ethered U. Evans, c.o. Railway Department, Lyttelton, railway, storeinan—lntantry. ' Edward Clarence Harris, Radcliffe road) Styx, farmer —lnlantry. Leonard C.. Steele, 100 King street, Sydenham, carter —Infantry. x George William, Tai Tapu, farmer, labourer—lnfantry. George B. Eyre, 132 Madras street, Christchurch, preseer—lnfantry. John W. Hansen, 97 Durham street, Sydenham, labourer —Infantry. James J. Ryan, S AVoll street, Linwood, driver—lnfantry.

Robert J. Bailiie. Du vatic hello Bay, labourer —Infantry. James L. Sohimanski, Marshland, farmerInfantry. ... 14 James Morgan, 50 Manchester street, Christchurch, labourer. . . Vi*d. Stanton, 277 Hereford street. Christchurch, teametor —Infantry. William. E. Sturgiss, Raksia, salesman— infaatrr. 4 John C. Jackman, e6 Fitrgerald e-ree.., Cbnstchuich. labourer —Infantry, Charles C. Kelland, G.P.0., Christchurch, farmer—lnfantry. ... AViiiiam G. Eldred. 11G Sslasbury street, Christchurch, soldier —Infantry. George- Louis Toumaire, 17 Aile® fctrect, Chriftchurch, cook—lnfantry. Ric-ha-rd A. Stanley, 453 Haxvwood roa<L P-apanui. farmer—lnfantry. . John J. Heslip, 299 St. Asaph street., Christ church, labourer—lnfantry. Ralph Shaw. Masonic Hotel, Christ-church, barman—lnfantry. . •James. H. Roberta, 21 Tuam street, Ohxistchuroh. labourer —Infantry. Perciv.il G. Seftoji, 33 M&rtin avenue, Fi»iherton. coachbuilder—lnfantry. I lon ry R-oeeler, Ladbrooke, farm labourer— Infantry. C-forgo Roee'er, Lodbroo-ks, farm labourer — Infantry. W. Patrick McGinity, Ticehurst road, Lyt~ driver—lnfantry. Victor A. Tuer, i"*: ax ton, farm hand—lnfantry. Herbert J. Gwatkin, C-.P.0.. Christchurch, mi 1 !er—l nf antry. ' Hu?li McLiohlan. 123 Tuam street, Christchurch, Labourer—lnfantry. William Pelcirr, 428 Armagh street, X#inwtxxl —Infantry. William M. Wilson, 141 King utreet, Sydenham, labourer—lnfantry. John M. Dick.'-e, Rosotvarno street. Papami. lKbcur»i-—ln fun try. ]I!c!i3rd W. Matthews, G.P.0., Christchurch, artist—lnfotitrv. Ivor G. GritTßOn, Islington, shepherd—lnfantry. Charles J. Stanley, Christchurch, farm hand—lnfantry. Thomns H. G. Stanley, Christchurch, farm hand—lnfantry. Arthur Patrick O'Leary, 112 St. Asaph street, Christchurch, bushman—lnfantry. And five others. li. H. Crc33 Iras attended hia medical examination. V KAIAPOI GROUP. Thirty-four enlistments have been received in the- Kain-poi Group since March 31st, tho reault of the modicuj examination being:— Fit .. .. .. 15 Temporarily unfit .. .. 1 Unfit .. .. ..18 34 Tho following arc the names of those who registered: — Geo. McAllister, Keiapoi—lnfantry. Gordon M. Patrick. Christchurch—lnfantry. i/tonc-rd Foster, Ellcemero—lnfantry. Herbart, Jury, Hororata—lnfantry. Herbert Norman Corkin, Hcrorata—lnfantry. Harold James, Coalgaie—Mounted. R:chard John Locker, Hororata—lnfantry. Thes. Stub Ix 3. Oxford—lnfantry. Wilfrid Arthur Hopkins, Bast Oxford— Artillery. Chas. H. H. Sharplin, Oxford—lnfantry. Herman R, G. Smith, Oxford—Engineei-a. Geo. Wm. Fisher, West Oxford—Mounted. Francis Edwurd Oldman, Ha warden—Artillery. John Ridley, Kaiapoi—Emrineens. Robt. Samuel Halligan, Beliaet—lnfantry. Arnold John Wm. Younjr, Irwedl—lnfantry. Percy Brown, Belfast—lnfantry. Ed. James Beker, Ra-ngiora—Artillery. Joseph Kowxsomb, Rangiora—lnfantry. Fred. Wm. Maddauis, Rangiora.—lnfantry. John Win. Wikon, Sefton—lnfantry. Rikite Mairaki Taiaroa, Leeston—Maori C. Geo. Lrslio Hamilton, Spring&ton—lnfantry. John O'Bcylo, Doylcston—lnfantry. Ernest Roy Grainger, Christchurch—Artillery.

.lames Wilson," Sefton—lnfantry. •Tames McLaughlin, Cheviot—lnfantry. Frank Edwin Collinge, Hornby—lnfantry. John SMrcion, Horabv—lnfantry. Francis Cornelius McHngh, Darfield —Infantry. Gerald Riordan, Southiridge—lnfantry. Alex. Duncan Mcß9&th, Kimberlcy—lnfantry. Jack Muir. Hororato.—lnfantry. Daniel Hilling, - Cheviot—lnfantry.