RECRUITING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16959, 11 September 1915, Page 14

RECRUITING.

AUCKLAND AND THE QUOTA.

[F:;OM Or* CoVTiESrONDEXT.I WELLINGTON, September 10. Tho member for Auckland West, this afternoon drow the Defence Alinister’a attention to a recent article in the Auckland '‘Star,” declaring that Auckland had supplied tho lion's share of the recruits for the Expeditionary Force and Reinforcements. It was stated in the article that Auckland was not only called upon to supply its own quota , but had to make utv deficiencyes in oilier quotas, as the quota system, in the South Island .had. failed. “In view of this statement will thb Minister make a statement’on the subject and explain whether the quota system has failed and, if so, how it has faded r” asked Mr Poole, “The quota system as originally inti educed was not a fair system because it was not based on tho number of available men between "the ages of twenty and forty years in each district,’ 5 declared Aly Allen. He added, that these numbers would not bo obtainable until the census was taken, which was provided for in the Prime. Minister’s Bill. It was true that there were fewer men of the military age in. the South than in the North. As a, matter of fact a great many young men went to the North from tho South. Ho did not. know whether tho Noith wanted them or not. Northern members (in chorus): Yes, tbej do. Air Allen (somewhat cyrvcally): Well I don’t know, but when they have had enough of tho North perhaps they mil go back to .the South (ories of “ No, no ”). But to say there are more wiling nien in the North than tn-the South is saying what I feel sure is incorrect, t believe tho > men of the South are quit© as wil'iug and w'll make quite ns good soldiers ns the men of tbo No-t'n (hear, hear), bolt if Auckland, finds the strn’n too much, for its resources it has the remedy in its own hands.

Mr Poole: Wo want fair play all round.

Mr A’len (in ris : ng cadence): You are getting fair p'ny all round. You vmnt to throw the whole burden on the South. I hope the honourable gentleman will not be influenced by what appears in. the Auckland newspapers (southern members, “boar, hear,” aud laughter f~om the northerners). INFORMATION WANTED. Mr J. S. Dickson (Parnell) gave notice this afternoon of his intention to move for a return showing (separately) (1) the number of officers, non-commis-sioned officers and. men of the Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and Wellington military districts posted to the Main Body New Zealand. Expeditionary Force, F'rst, Second, Th> ,- n. Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth' and Ninth Reinforcements, arid First ard Second Trentham and (2) the estimated number of military age in each military district.