CALL TO THE COLOURS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2728, 24 March 1916, Page 6

CALL TO THE COLOURS

THE NEW SCHEME

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR ' J

■■ MEN. & PROBLEMS COMBINATION OF OFFICES NEEDED

Yesterday the Mayor of Wellington made a statement to a Dominion representative on the recruiting campaign in the City. Mr. " Luke said:—

"In regard to recruiting, one has to recognise that the whole system.of obtaining men for the colours is on a citizen basis. Our men. although enlisting as soldiers, 'do not join on the basis which obtains in some other countries or th&t which applies to the British regulars. Our men do not lose their identity as citizens because they join the forces. The answers of a portion of the single men to the call to arms have, I find, been very varied. A great number say: 'Whan we are all called up, I am . quite willing to respond and to do E' i y bit; but until means are adopted which will ensure all single men, going to the front, I don't think tliero is any particular need for me to mako'a sacrifice.', Others make the excuse that they would leave positions which, in many cases, would be_ filled by men of alien birth.' That, in their opinion, is a sufficient answer. Others assert that if they throw up the positions tliey had held for a considerable time, they ■would on returning from the war find their billets filled by others, and therefore the}' hesitate about responding to the' call. ' . .

"The voluntary system can only be successful through people voluntarily responding to ' the call. The arguments set up by_ some single men are not a proper estimate of their position. Ido not think there _ are ' many employers who would refrain from keeping open the billet of any man who sioes to the war. I should be surprised if employers did not co-operate with the authorities for the purpose of facilitating the passago .of young men to the ranks. A Good Word for the Soldiers. ' "There is another argument which has been made use of by singlo men, and jt isthat there has been too much public opinion expressed regarding camp affairs and the conduct of men from the camps. The men do not lose sight of the fact that they are still citizens of Ne\v ; Zealand, and they feel that tho scrutiny _of the ■ public, _ should hot be in the direction of making comparisons in many cases to the detriment of the soldiers, and without any real reason for doing so. Soldiers .in , the City, under slight influence of liquor, , have often been held up ns examnles which should be shunned. This has had a very detrimental effect on the minds of quite a large number of young men. I am frequently in the City at late hours of the nigh't. I see the conduct of tho soldiers, and I see it contrasted -with the. conduct of members of the civil nopulation. I have been struck by the fact +hal there is more insobriety among civilians than among tho soldiers. Still, let a man in khaki show himself to be a ilittle the worse for liquor, and he is held up as a shocking example, and his conduct is made the excuse , for homilies by numerous individuals. . Wet.or Dry Canteens? "In this connection, we in New Zealand should be verv grateful for tho determined stand taken hv tho Government in insisting upon dry canteens, and deciding against the introduction of wet canteens into the camps.' Wet canteens would offer great olinnces of obtaining liquor in camp, and when wo consider that the pay of our* men is not less than ss. per day (aeainst Is. n day at Home) it gives an idea of tho temptation there would be for those inclined .to take, ton much. If men availed themselves of an opportunity of taking more liquor than was good for them, the effect on training and discinline would be bad. The position here is quite different from that at Homo, where the men get. a much lower rate of military pay. So long as we have the dry canteens in our New Zealand raimps wo may feel assured that the best conditions will prevail, that good .discipline will continue, that the training will be absolutely efficient-, and th»t the requirements of the battle-line will he met. ■> Those are the greatest arguments we can set, forth against the wet clmteen proposal. '

: -"On the other hand, whilo on this tonic, we Tnnst bear in mind that the soldier would object, when comincr into town to bn singled o»t for different, treatment'from other membdr'<,f tlie community. He would object to auv alteration ir» the liquor laws being applied to him instead of being .made for the general remedying of the licensing system.

' with which to do what everyone would no doubt like to be able to do. The matter is very difficult ior other private employers, and I don't think the point should be stressed and made as much of as has been the case. There are large employers who can help the men 111 the direction under discussion, but we can only leave it to their generosity and their sense of justice.

Pensions Should bo by Right. "Another matter of moment is the question ot pensions by right. • It is a burning question, and I lelieve notwithstanding the action of the Government, that when Parliament assembles the principle of pension by right will be established. The OM 'Country has always had it, and tte should have iin 0, ■ there are a few in* affluent,, circumstances should- not be allowed to neutralise the benefits of a pension scheme, which should be generous and equitable. I am pleased to know that the methods oftli9 Pensions Board have no* been quite so inquisitorial lately as they were av the commencement of the board's operations. But if pensions went by right these inquisitorial investigations would not continue. "Future family problems also form an important subject; for consideration when pensions are under discussion. Men enlisting to-day may have other minds cast forward to a possible time when their financial position ia not so good' as it now* is. Therefore, they feel that tbey should have a pension by right. After all the provision of the pensions is one for the public, who can claim the right to provide a system which so many of them have so persistently advocated. I hop© pensions by.right will soon be an established fact. Earnest Desire to Fall Into Line. "On the question of recruiting and the co-operation of tho local bodies, I believe there is an earnest desire everywhere to fall into line and carry out the Recruiting Board's scheme. . The board has ymo to a fcreat deal of trouble to make things clear, and thero seems to be no lack of methods of encouraging men to enrol. . "I suppose I can say that this City is diuercut from tho other centres beoauso being tho seat of headquarters tiie local authority and tlioso working \«th ft <io not, have tho same freedom ol action enjoyed by those far removed from headquarters. I. am strongly of opinion that the work would best be carried out in Wellington if the Buckie Recruiting Office and the Town J. i-lv e cruifcnig Office were combined and accommodated in a central buildmg. I am more than'pleased with the work of Captain Barclay and his staff at the Wn Hall office. They have sacrificed their time day uftei day for the purpose of obtaining men, and 2500 have already enlisted_ at the Town Hall. "There are difficulties in the way of our work here; because we are not sufficiently empowered to deal with the reel uit from tho time of his application to enlist. In tho matter of rejected men, a certificate given here, although the men are dealt - with by the official dentists and doctors, ia not recognised at^headquartcrs.' Further, wo have no powei to issue badges to recruits. ,In a large centre like Wellington, in order to {jet the best out of an honorary organisation, it is necessary to strengthen their hands to keen alive their interest. The recruiting office at the Town Hall should be so endowed that it can deal with recruiting matters similarly to tho maunor in which the' Buckle Street office deals with them, because after all we want the men, and if we can get them better through the civilian office the end is being attained all the same.

Two Faotors Retarding Recruiting.

Supplementing the Pay of Soldiers,

"As to the married men, tho great question which interests them is that of provision for their wives and families. Personally, I am not an advocate of sending married men to the front until we have exhausted the 'lipply of single men who should go. However, there 'are some married men who feel the call io compelling that they do enlist, and the country should feel that if a married man does, for his country's good,; make the (sacrifice of leaving a ,wifo and family he should bo assured that his dependents are directly and generously providod for.

"In somo cases, supploment«ry funds are provided , for married men. The Wellington City Council was the first to decide that the military pay of nn>n who had enlisted from its staff should be so supplemented as to bring it up to the amount' they would hara continued to receive had they rr-mniiia:! ni with the corporation instead of enlisting;. A good many other local authorities have done likewise, hut the.Government have not generally adopted .1 similar arrangement'. Nevertheless, I feci nerfeotly sure that the country ■would endorse their action if they did so. It would only be a recognition that the sacrifice of a married man lad to he appreciated and an assurance that thpir families would not suffer.

"Tt has been said that soldiers who liiul been working for private employers shonld_ have their nay made up equal to their wapjes. . I know that in ninny cases that is impossible. Tile burdens which private employers aro carrying "lace them outside a position to do i£ However, there are large companies who are dealing with tho problem on the same basis as the local authorities I have referred to. I know of comnanios who are acting in that wnv. but I need only mention one—the Wellington fas Company. TIIO, Gas Company has done remarkably well for its men who enlist. Those hi" companies are in nuicll the same position as the. authorities in relation to thjn question, because thev have at hand the means

"There are two. factors which, to my mind, are retarding - recruiting in our community. One relates to the point brought out by Captain Simson on Wednesday night, when lie stated that th» talk about an early peace was absolutely wrong, and such ideas should not bo allowed to got into the minds of people because they were mitigating against tho success of recruiting organisations. Tho utterances of public men of great standing in tho Old Countries* must have due rogard_ given to them, but when a statement is made' by a statesman of an Allied nation .full regard should bo given to ,the effect it is likely to have. Tako the observation of 31. R.ibot, Finance Minister of France, that, without illusion, victory for the Allies could be said to be in sight. As France calls up her men under a system of conscription, the statement would not have any effect on the providing of men for the 'French, firing line. But whore there i 8 a voluntary system, as in New Zealand, such statements are liable to deter men from enlisting; the men imagine the end of the war is near at hand.

"The other deterrent is that men have taken up the attitude which may he expressed in these words: 'We will roll up when all are called. We ivi)l not come before then.' Some of these may be hoping that the war will be over beforo they are required, and some are genuinely of the opinion that where there is a great national ' requirement' there should be a national call. How to Cet Creat Results. "Regarding the arm badges I hold that there are too many. There should bo only two distinguishing marks, and there should not be a separate one for men who havo been rejected by the doctors. No man wishes to wear a Jiadge which proclaims that lie is physically unfit. Also, something better than the present arm badge should bo designed. , "In and about Wellington city there is a considerable body of good feeling and spirit of co-operation between the local authorities and among the people for the encouragement of recruiting. Public meetings have been held, and others are being organised, and the interest is being maintained. lam quite convinced that the work at the meetings is being reflected in the enlistments at the Town Hall and the Buckle Street recruiting offices. Wo have not set aside a timo for men to onrol at the meotings. Men generally are not inclined to como forward at the end of a public meeing. Tlioy profcr to enrol in the ordinary way at tho place sot apqrt for that purpose. My opinion is that the best work could bo dono by taking quarters in the heart of tho city closo by where tho traffic passes to and fro. Meetings could bo lipid ovcry night and at middays, and medical and dental officers could he 011 hand to do their work. I would like to see both recruiting officos (Buckle Street and tho Town Hall) combined 111 a new centro, and I am sure wo would get .creat' results."

LATEST ENLISTMENTS,

The following men have been enrolled at iiucklo Street as fit for military servico

Bertie 0. Ballihger, salesman, City (l!/iigineers).

• D- A. M. Bell, driver, Ngahauranga (Homo Service). Wm. Whclau, seaman. City (Infantry).

Geo. Robinson, painter, City (Infantry). ' .

Wm. Geo. Roberts, mechanic, City (Infantry).

Alex. M. Fraser, clerk, City (Infantry). . ■

K. J. Caverhili bank clerk, • City (Infantry). Gordon S. Feek, shop assistant, Pal.merston North (Infantry). Jamos Gilkenson, labourer, City (Inlantry). W. 11. S. James, wharf labourer. City (Infantry). Frank E. Milton, steward, City (Infantry). Alfred John lienai, Warehouseman, Petona (Infantry). Alex. H. Laurenson, Customs clerk, City (Infantry). MEN FOR CAMP. The following have been sent to camp:— 14th Infantry—M. R. Stewart, P. Grosis, H. D. Campbell. Permanent Orderlies, Awapuni Camp. —E. A. Blakesley, Wm. Toshack. The following men from No. o Area Group have been notified to parade at 10 a.m. on Tuesday next, March. 28, to go into camp to make up shortages in the 14th Reinforcements:— Infantry.—Percy Hill, F. R. Alexander, E. M. Samuel A. S. M'Shann. F. B. Enson, F. W. Toomath, W. Knighton, A. It. Bailey. C. W. O'Brien, E. C. Eammond, W. Evans, D. C. Scott, J, M. Cairns, J. H. Thompson, B. Leyaon, J. G. Norris, W. R. Barr, W. R. Kitchener, W. G. Rapley, F. Parkinson, A. Watson, J. Tait, T. H. N. Beasley, W. J. Tomkin, J. R. O'Connor, Ernest B. Kay, Wm. Robson, Peter Jas. M'Kee, Jas. Brockie, Horace B. Smith, John Raymond M'Kee, C. S. Walker, Julius George Mattson, Percival Harry Cross, Wm. Mitchell, Raymond LJoyd Drewitt, Horace Cunliife Dumbell.

Engineers.—ll. Welsh (motor mechanic), W. J. Kerr (carpenter), C. Carmody (electrician), E. Griffin (contractor), D. de Phillips (blacksmith), A. Daniel (engine-driver), J. Forsyth (shipwright). ' ' DISCONTENT IN AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 23. The Mayor (Mr. Gunson) states that the Auckland recruits are persistent in t'heir refusal to fill up the gaps in southern quotas. The men simply won't go to make up southern deficiencies. There is growing discontent on account of the Minister allowing the disproportionate draining on Auckland to continue. ..The Recruiting Committee does not propose to take further action in protest until the members have had time to consider the situation. They; hope that in the meantime some satisfactory statement will be received from the Minister.STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. The Minister of Defenco, who also received a telegram from Mr. Gunson in regard to this matter yesterday,' re-, plied that he regretted an error was made in the calculation of shortages, and that an undue' number to make up was asked from all districts. As masters stand, Auckland district has . sent- in twelve in excess of its due number. If Auckland district had men wishing to join the infantry, who had given up work and wanted to go into camp at once, : hfl would be pleased to receive them. A MAXOU ENLISTS. • By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 23. Forty-four men ■ registered at' the city recruiting station to-day, .19 being accepted and 15 deferred. At Newmarket 12 registered lasl. night, sovau being accepted and\ four deferred. Among those passed as fit was the Mayor of 'Newmarket, Mr. M'Coll. RECRUITING IN DUNEDIN. . By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, March 23. _ There were sixty enlistments in the city to-day. Fifty-six were examined, and more than half were passed, as fit. IN AUSTRALIA ; , < NATIVES' ASSOCIATION URGES COMPULSION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Roc. March 23/ 8.30 p.m.) Melbourne, March 23. > At the annual conference of the Australian Natives' Association, it was iosolved that , the needs 'of the war could no longer bo n?et by the voluntary system of enlistment, and urged that the Commonwealth thould take immediate steps to _ utilise fully the services of every citizen, and the resources of tho "CoromonwwiltL ' ; MEETING AT PETONE. A recruiting meeting is to be held at Pctone this evening', at which the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) will preside. parade will be held prior to tho meoting of the .National Reservists, Senior Cadots, and Boy Scouts.