The Star. Delivered every evening by' 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. Delivered every„ 15 o'clock in FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1915. THIS MORNING'S SEND-OFF.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 28 May 1915, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by' 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. Delivered every„ 1 5 o'clock in FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1915. THIS MORNING'S SEND-OFF.

This morning's send-off to the recruits for military service passed « off very satisfactory. There was a large attendance ot the public, the speeches were to the point, and honor was freely paid to the men who have volunteered to serve their country.. The record for this district is, comparatively speaking, good, fine public spirit has b^en shown; but there is plenty of material for further drafts, and the situation is such that the nation calls on it. • Ih feome parts of New Zealand the response rto the call of duty does not appear to have, been satisfactory, for there are! instances where the quota has not been made up. This, of course, raises in New Zealand the difficulty. which is presenting itself so acutely in Great Britain, and is the subject of cables received this mornifig. The voluntary system is securing the services of the best men in the country, of, men who can be ill spared from th4ir peaceful avocations, men who could still perhaps serve the nation -best by .staying at hbtne'? at; their; [ownyspecidlty, .,' valu-, able work. On the-other* hand it is ~lTdt -souring thousands' xathersy who should be available, upon whom the claim of duty should be equally insistent, and who probably, could.be better spared from the industrial work of the State than the others. This is the position in-England, and it cannot be denied that in some degree it is tlie position in New Zealand. The whole question must come up for consideration in England with the view of,finding a solution of the difficulty—probably this is one of the matters that will, at an early date, be dealt with by the coalition Government; and it may yet have to be considered by Parliament in New Zealand. But meantime the very best must be done in existing circumstances, and this morning's demonstration shows how heartily the people appreciate the action of those who have volunteered and how strong in public opinion' is the call upon all men who are capable of strengthening the nation in this time of crisis, especially those who are not engaged in work of vital importance to the com-' munity. j