MILITARY AFFAIR

Evening Star, Issue 16045, 23 February 1916, Page 6

MILITARY AFFAIR

lU'ICnmTtXG SCHEME ADVANCED- ' A MINISTLJR.TTsTATKMKXT. | The Hon. J. Allen, Mini*U-r of Defence, \ who is on a short visit to Dunedin, informed a Star' representative this morn- ! ing that the new recruiting scheme is well ; advanced generally, and exceptionally well forward in some places where enthusiasm Has prompted a keen grip of the details, ot the comprehensive organisation and a thorough understanding of requirements. Here it is interesting to note that the -Minister, who has a very full knowledge of the demand for conscription throughout tho country, and who has never shown any aversion to compulsion in defence, is strongly of the opinion that the public should agree without hesitation to sink all personal differences as regards the question of compulsory military service • until the voluntary system has boon tested with complete thoroughness. " The position is clear," said Mr Allen. "The representatives of the people have decided to give a final trial to the voluntary principle of recruiting, and I think it is now a common duty to lay aside personal opinions, and to work together in enthusiastic unitv for tho purpose of exhaustively testing voluntaryism, which undoubtedly lias "yielded splendid results. Then, if we find that voluntary recruiting is inadequate for the demands of war, none of us need have anv hesitation about adopting the principle of compulsion That. T think, should bo the-", present policy of all the people." As regards the new recruiting scheme. / Mr Allen is confident that if it be taken up with all the enthusiasm of which New Zealanders are capable of exercising in a. great cause there will be no immediate need of resorting to compulsion. He mentioned as an instance of real enthusiasm the manner m which the Waitaki Countv Council have adopted the scheme, and have made initial arrangements. The county clerk has carefully examined the: rolls, has noted the transfer of persons to i other districts since the rolls were prepared, and has split the lists into small district rolls, so that recruiting committees know exactly the extent of canvassing required m each district. This county council appear to have the scheme in thorough working order. "That is the work wo want done," remarked Mr Allen, "and: the Recruiting Board are willing to renv der all the assistance possible in explain-'; nig and removing any difficulty or misun-i derstanding. If it be desired", a member i of_ the board will attend 'to explain de- ; tails and help all he can in starting'it ;■' or, if unable to get away, will provide ai competent substitute. Wo want to see the' rolls containing the names of eligible men split up into smaller rolls for the different districts within a given area, and also> to see exactly what quotas are required for each_ reinforcement, and to divide the quotas in the same way for small districts, i The recruiting bodies know definitely when' each reinforcement .will go into camp for'; six months ahead, and the schema is so' arranged that each district may bo thoroughly canvassed for -its quota each month. After one list has been exhausted attention will then be given to the_ succeeding list. By doing this recruits will know exactly when they are to go into camp. It is not advisable to prepare for more than six months' requirements in order to obviate any tendency there might bo for men to enlist for a reinforcement a long time ahead, and thus put off service- indefinitely. Over 13,000 men will be required in six months, so recruiting bodies will recognise that effort ■ at securing full quotas from each district must be continuously energetic." Tho Minister referred to a misunderstanding created by the report of his reply to a 'Wellington deputation respecting tho sending of men straight to camp after enlistment. When that "decision was : announced it applied only to special circumstances then existing'in the." Wellington district where a number of men both from that district and other districts wero waiting to be called up. It was never contemplated to establish a general rule. That would be quito impracticable, and would merely lead to chaotic congestion at the military camps, where the excellent; organisation has been strained throughouti to the point of its utmost capacity. 1 THE TUNNELLING CORPS. j Tho Minister made interesting reference to the New Zealand Tunnelling Corps, who have created a most favorable impression on tho military authorities at Home, where they are now stationed. The latest report advises that the corps is so good that it will require very little further training, and that the authorities are prepared to send them to the front, where its service will bo extremely useful. It is understood that this corps will servo i with the Royal Engineers on the western i front. ' THE SANITARY CORPS. Arrangements are well forward for tho; establishment of a New Zealand Sanitary Corps, consisting of one officer, two n.e.o.s, and 24 or 25 men. Excellent service has been done at Homo in a similar direction, and a fine type of artisan and professional men, such as plumbers, engineers, architects, and surveyors has been i secured. Here in New Zealand applications from a really serviceable class of' men have already been received. Applicants must give their names in tho ordinary way to District Defence Offices stating the particular unit to which they, desire to be attached. ' ', THE NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. Reorganisation is going forward, rapidly with a view of creating a New Zealand Division. Hitherto tho New Zealand Force has been combined with tho Australian Forces. The New Zealand Division will consist of three brigades of infantry, and . will include artillery and everything else. The new brigade is being formed of accumulated reinforcements and. returned men. Tlie reorganisation in this., direction is well advanced.