CITY RECRUITING

Evening Star, Issue 16079, 3 April 1916, Page 4

CIT Y RECRUITING

FORTNIGHT'S CAMPAIGN CONCLUDED. SOME SATISFACTORY RESULTS. Only four men enlisted after the military demonstration at tho Oval on Saturday afternoon, but during the evening recruiting improved, and although no actual record was kept it is probable that the enlistments for the day numbered about 40. Sixteen men out of 41 were passed as fit at the medical examinations, while eight were rejected. Tho others were- classed as temporarily unfit. Tho Mayor (Mr J. J. "Clark) mado a statement this morning as to the progress of the campaign. " The records," he said, " show that about one-half of the numes of the men in the districts being worked under the supervision of tho Dimedin executive have come in. Their cards, together with full particulars, will be forwarded to the Recruiting Board for \heir information. Over 600 men have enlisted. It should be pointed out, however, that while a large number of recruits have come forward, a great majority are not going into camp until some later reinforcement draft. A full quota for the draft—tho iifteenth—going into camp on Thursday is not yet assured. It is hoped, however, that before Wednesday sufficient men will bo forthcoming to fill up any gaps. "Taking everything into consideration, I think the results of tho fortnight's campaign are extremely gratifying. Of course, there are a considerable number of men who have not accepted the invitation of tho committee to visit their rooms, and that means that they will now have to bo personally canvassed at their houses or places of business. Over 100 individuals who filled in National Registration cards gave fictitious addresses. The committee are determined to hunt these men out, and if possible get a statement from them as to their position. The open-air campaign has terminated, and the actual work or personal canvass will now be pushed on by the committees in their respective districts. They will make special efforts to get into touch with all the men who have not so far had their cards tilled in." At the demonstrations at the Oval the speakers were Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham, Rev. C. Eaton, Br Marshall, Messrs F. Of. Gumming, and M. Bradlev, while in the evening the Bevs. W. A Hay and Greeuslade, Messrs H. K. Wilkinson and I'. U. Gumming spoke at the Town Hall; Messrs J. Loudon, M. Bradlev. and R. •v D T ou ? lfts at tlle Fountain; And Messrs 1. H. Dalton, James M'Cartnov, and J. H. Wilkinson at Cargill's Corner. THE GROUP OFFICES. FEW SINGLE MEN REGISTERING. The various recruiting committees (the members of which are giving their services without any remuneration whatever) are not receiving the support that they deserve at the hands of tho men of mi'litary age, who arc asked to report at the group offices. Taking one office as an example—group No. 17, which, covers the district bounded by High street and. Stuart street and Princes street and the Town Belt. This district has over 700 men on the. roll who are between tho specified ages, but after 10 days only 238 have attended and filled in their card's. This particular committee have decided to keep their rooms—which are situated in Park, Reynolds, and Co.'s buildings, Manse street—open every evening this week ; but even if the average of 24 per day is maintained, there will still be upward.? of 300 to bo personally canvassed— a task that committeemen are not looking forward to with any decree of pleasure. Still, it is a task that has to be performed, for no man will bo allowed to escape. Particular care will be taken to reach those who have enlisted but failed to attend for medical examination. Some men. obviously ineligible, have, expressed their indignation at being circularised, assuming that by being asked to attend the recmUing office they have been branded as r-hirlcevs. 'The committee wisli to point out that this is not the case. They have- no data to show what a, man's circumstances are, and merely ask him to come and restate these eircumrtnnees, and particulars which will have to be given in any case. Another point which has been overlooked by men who volunteered prior to October last, and who wese rejected, is that they may undergo re-examination, with the probability of passing the test, which is now less severe than it was, the Government having lowered the standard in October. In the district mentioned the big majority of those who have responded to the invitation to call at. the office have been married men, ami these, with one exception, have stated their willingness to go to the front —after the single men have gone. The men whom the Government particularly wi*h to reach—tho single ones —are still hanging oft", and by their attitude are inviting compulsion. '• Many of the reasons, or excuses, sot down for not enlisting are ingenious. For instance, one young man of 22 years of age stated that his "business responsibilities'' precluded, him serving the Empire. On the other hand, a sturdy veteran who attended the office explained that, although he had been wounded in tho leg and had received a. cracked skull in the Armenian trouble a few years ago, ho was willing and anxious to "have another go." The conveners of the various group committees meet this afternoon, when ar.rangements will be made for the completion of the registration. HON. K. M'NAB AND RECRUITING. The Hon. R. M'Nab will to-morrow night deliver an-address from tho Town Hall steps. He is to deal with tho great recruiting problem of to-day, and will also •speak on other matters. His ability as a strong speaker is too well known to require any padding. His special duty today in the National Government is to"deal with recruiting, and he has spoken on the question in almost every part of New Zealand. Therefore a large audience a.nd n. good reception are sure to await him. The Rev. C. Eaton will bo the otlou 1 speaker, and tho Mayor will take tho chair. With the assistance of the Diuiedin Highland Pipe Band an excellent programme will bo'carried out.