CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1915, Page 9

CORRESPONDENCE

RECRUITING RALLIES TO TJUS EDITOR. Sir,— Are we doing all that is possible <*> enlist the required number of recruits ior our Expeditionary Foroe? Could not our methods be improved upon to meet the case? The dignified appeal ia apt to leave one cold, or in the mind for postponement. In spite of the more or less frenzied attacks of fiery correspondents on the so-called " shirkers," we still want more men. The lash is not tho medium required for stimulating " laggards." Give them a lead Let the personal appeal take tho place of the moral " cat-o' -nine-tails." If spectacular^ parTies for enlistment purposes promise to be more effective, let us have them c"cry day, or night, if preferable. Any hour is a good hour to volunteer to serve one's country. Don't shut down at five o'olock. Our boys at the front stick to it day and night. Let us do the same. In the face of all that the " railers " have said, tho fact remains (or we malign our race) that less than five per cent, of our young men are born " shirkers " More than seventyfive per_ cent, of our youiig men have open minds on the question, " Shall I enlist?" The magnetic touch, the magnetic appeal, would convert the answer into a decisive " Yes !" Who would deny that Wellington's present record for one day's recruiting would not be badly broken the following day (or that night, if the enlisting officials were present) if Lloyd George were to give a recruiting speech, to men only, at our Town Hall? A recruiting " rally,", starting from Post Office Square each evening at 8 o'olook, headed by a military or- city band, flying banners of " Fall in, patriots !" and marching to Buckle-street, via the main streets of the city, would show results if persevered in. Lot sweethearts become auxiliary recruiting sergeants by telling their " boys " to meot them at the ' rally " to-night. The public will cheer the boys " into the ranks. Don't lash them — you only make them obstinate. Now, who will form one of a band of recruiting sergeants? whose watchword will be, " Gome on, boys ; let us get it over »-<|uickly."— -I am, etc., PASSING THE DOCTOR TOMORROW. Wellington, 23th May, 1915.