RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 8

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

MEETING AT KAIAPOI. At the fifth recruiting meeting held at Kaiapoi on Saturday night, tlie attendance of the public was good. The 13th Regimental Band opened the proceedings with an excellent programme of selections. The Mayor (Mr J. H. Blackwell) expressed regret that the speakers expected from Christchurch had been unable to appear. On behalf of the town, ho wished to express appreciation of the men of the Tenth Reinforcements who had left for the. North Island that evening after spending their final leave with their relations'. Referring to the recruiting meetings, he said that the fact that eight recruits came forward at the last meeting was a sign that the. meetings were productive of distinct good and the right atmosphere was being built up. During the week a Recruiting Board had been set up, in compliance with the request of the Government, and the speaker hoped that the community would actively cooperate with the board. Captain E. E. Papprill. chairman of the Recruiting Board', explained the main vmints of the scheme and the methods to be adopted in endeavouring to persuade eligible men to enlist. In answer to a question, he said that there would be no discrimination between men of different stations in life —wealth would make no difference. Every, man of eligible age. capable of service, would' he asked to enlist. Moral suasion would he used in_ trying to convert the unwilling to service. Itwould be left to a man's own conscience- to say whether his name should be returned to the Defence Department as " unwilling to serve." The voluntary system was on its trial. The issue of badges would show who were content to do their duty, and he believed that public opinion would lead the unresponsive to a right way of thinking and action. The Mayor said 1 it was pleasing to hear that in the Kaiapoi area all branches except infantry in the next reinforcements were filled. Seventeen men were wanted for the infantry qtiota. and with the response now heinc made it was probable that there would be no shortage. At the Mavor's call, cheers were given for the Kins;, Captain Papprill. the hoys at the front and departing soldiers. Four men were medically examined at the close of the meeting.

CHRISTCHURCH. On Saturday the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) told a reporter that he had arranged to call a recruiting meeting, to be held towards the end of this woek, to which the mayors and chairmen of public bodies will be invited to a seat on the platform. The Hon James Allen, Minister of Defence, will be passing through Christchnrch towards the end of tho week and the meeting will be held on the evening that he will be in Ohristchui'ch, probably Thursday or Friday.

RANGIORA. On Saturday night the Mayor, Mr ,C. T. Jennings, and Mr F. Horrell, chairman of the Rangiora County Council, in view of the meeting to be held at 8 p.m. on "Wednesday to elect a recruiting committee for the borough and county, briefly addressed a street meeting oil the new recruiting scheme and asked for a respectful reception, of those whose, duty it would be to canvass the cligibles for the front.