RECRUITING

Evening Star, Issue 16032, 8 February 1916, Page 8

RECRUITING

THE BOARD'S PERSONAL APPEAL. Following is the full text of the Recruiting Board's appeal, sent out Last week to all engaged in recruiting work: February, 1916.

Sir, —The exigencies of the war, and the very serious issues at stake, have led the National Cabinet to decide upon a new recruiting system. It is now proposed to secure the active sympathy and co-opera-tion of the several local authorities of the .Dominion, and of the patriotic organisations that have already rendered such admirable service to the nation, which we are confident will be continued. As members of the Recruiting Board, entrusted with the direction of the new scheme, we are therefore addressing you, and through the members of your organisation, in the confident assurance that you will lend all possible assistance to the movement now •being made to maintain recruiting at the strength required for the fulfilment of our engagements with the British authorities.

It is no small thing that New Zealand has already accomplished. We have a right to be proud of the magnificent response that has been made by our gallant sons to the call of the Empire. But, although we have sent 34,000 men into the fighting line, and another 12,G00 troops are in training, the demands of the war are such that we cannot afford to let the sacrifice rest at that. Greater and still greater effort and sacrifice are required if we intend to make sure of success, and anything less is unthinkable to men of British birth and descent. Especially is this so when we know the extent of Germany's designs, and that her ulterior object in the present war was the destruction of the British Empire and the complete subjugation of the British Oversea, Dominions and Dependencies, to which Dr Putnam,-a distinguished American writer, tells us " Germany has long expected to become the heir."

It is essential that for the ■ next 12 months, and possibly longer, we should be prepared to send four-weakly reinforcements of 2,550 men into the firing line. It is not suggested that we have by any means exhausted the possibilities of voluntary enlistments. The National Register shows that/ the required men can be- obtained without unduly straining the resources of the country or seriously impairing its industrial condition. But with so many conflicting accounts of the probable duration of the war and of the exhaustion of the enemy's resources, there is an obvious danger that men who would otherwise volunteer for the front may arrive at the conclusion that the war will be over before they can render any material assistance, and that their time would thus be wasted by entering camp. It is part of our duty to_ combat that idea. At present it is impossible to forecast the duration of the war. Lord Kitchener ha* apparently seen no reason to alter his op„,io:i expressed at the commencement of the war that we must be prepared for at least a three-years' struggle, and possibly for longer. Our duty is therefore clear. We must be prepared at every point, and stop short at no sacrifice that will enable us to fulfil our part in the war. On behalf of the National Government we very gratefully recognise' the valuable work your society have rendered to the State in furthering the interests of the Empire. The duties so admirably discharged by your organisation in the past justify the conclusion that you will not be found wantinjr in the greater business of

the present. May we suggest the following ways in which you may help the present effort:— 1. By co-operating with the local hodies in your district in the formation of recruiting committees and co-ordinat-ing any efforts you may be making with those of the local bodies referred to. 2. By sinking all personal differences in regard to this policy or that, and by recognising that the common good demands united action and an absence of all controversy that may endanger the success of the recruiting movement. 3. By refraining from and discouraging all attempts at the victimisation of all possible recruits, and avoiding inquisitorial or personal questions when dealing with such likely men. The accompanying paper will give you an idea of the scope and policy of the new recruiting method. May we again ask for your co-operation and assistance? We are sufficiently assured by your past action of your desire to further the interests of the Empire, and feel, therefore, that we can confidently leave the matter in your hands, as we are convinced you will exert yourself to the utmost to secure the success of the new campaign. Yours in the service of the King, Nation, and Empire, W. F. Massey, Chairman. J. G. Ward, J. ALLEN, M embers of Recruiting Committee.