"WIN THE CUP WEEK"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 44, 15 November 1917, Page 6

"WIN THE CUP WEEK"

ELIGIBLES AT FLEMINGTON CRITICISED. "From the enormous amount of space devoted to the Victorian Tacing carnival ia every paper throughout tlio Commonwealth, this week must evidently fee considered as a win-the-cup-week rather than a win-the-war-week, romarked Professor Mncintyre, chairman of tho State ltecruiting Committee, yesterday. "I notice (ho went on) that Senator Pearce, the Minister of Defence, on his return from a visit to the A.I.F. camp at Liverpool last week, remarked that lie observed great improvements in« tho roads, drainage, etc., but concluded by the statement that 'there is nothing wanting now—<mly men.' Ido not think there will be any lock of mon at Flemingtoa to-morrow. They will flock out there by tho thousand, and though many, no doubt, will wear tho returned soldier's badge, and still othors will carry the enowy hair which shows they are in the winter of their days, yot, judging by past racecourse crowds, there will be a large percentage of eligibles on tho courso to whom the word 'duty' is as unknown as the philosopher's stone. "In Soptember last wo were 25,000 men short in our reinforcements, and'yet we are only asking for 7000 a month—not to create new divisions, but solely to maintain our divisions at the front at their full righting strength. We call for men to relieve those noble lads who have fcr so long borne the brunt of the heavy fighting in Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and on the British line in France." Hβ compared the impromptu race meetings patronised by mon in khaki behind the lines in France with the gay Cup meeting, and remarked that it hardly seemed possible that the two scenes could he enacted practically simultaneously by mon boasting the eame nationality. "From tho trenches, led by General Birdwood himself," added the chairman, "comes the appealing cry for men and still more men to fill the gaps. In Australia the Minister of Defence states that what is most urgently needed is men and still more men. Every Tecruiting committee in every State of the Commonwealth has, since its inception, jlnced the need for men and still more men boforo those who stay at home. Every win-the-war league Viae impressed on , those holding back from honour's call the dire necessity of comrades at the front, and yet 140,000 so far have turned a deaf ear to the greatest appeal Australia lias ever listened to. '■""A more trifle such as vrinnin? the war must not be allowed to interfere with such a national institution as win-the-cup-week.' But I wonder how many of those eliribles who have left. Sydney fot tne southern capital to participate in win-the-cup-week festivities will pay any heed on tlu-ir return to the Ministers Tomark that what is wanting now in Ihe camp is men, only men. Men will not be wanting on the course throiisrliout this -week, but what about the_ camp? The need for mon will not wait upon our arciiinonte for or against conscription That matter will have to bo discussed and definitely sottlcd ;> but meantime we must fill the gaps.