RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17098, 22 February 1916, Page 9

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

DUTY OF LOCAL BODIES. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. [Per Press Abbootatiox.] WELLINGTON, February 21. "Some local bodies," said Mr Massey to-day, "seem to have got the idea that t-ho Government expects them to do all the work, including canvassing, in connection with the new recruiting scheme. This is not the case. What wo ask members of local bodies to realise- is that in a crisis like this they have, as public men, a special duty m the wav of giving a lead to the community generally, and, whatever system may bo in operation for the purpose of "obtaining recruits, whether the voluntary svstem or conscription, they cannot possibly divc-st themselves or that duty. I have watched the English newspapers very carefully when reporting the working of Lord Derby s scheme, and I cannot recollect a single instance of a local body refusing its assistance. Wo expect m-embers of local hodics to be guided by the circumstances and conditions in the districts over which they exercise authority, to start recruiting organisations where they are required, and to keep them going as long as they are wanted, subdividing the districts in any way they think fit. always selecting the most suitable man or women for the purpose of canvassing. I think if theso facts are grasped the difficulties which have been anticipated in certain districts—not many lam happy to say —will rapidly disappear."

SPREYDON. A meeting of the Spreydon Recruiting Committee was held in tho Council Chambers. Spreydon, on Saturday: present—the Mavor. Mr W. H. Wmsor (chairman). Councillors O'Rourkc. Taylor and Haves, and Messrs M. Y\. \\oodfield, J. Watt. R. Nairn, F. J. Beanie, J AY Bowles. A. Smith, W. Munday, W. R. Gahagan, E. .Marnner and J. A. Andrews. The Mayor and Town Clerk were unanimously elected chairman and secretary respectively. . Following on several letters received from the head Recruiting Board, it was resolved to divide the borough into four areas and to appoint the following'a sub-committee to arrange for twenty canvassers to personally make a house"to house canvass of their respective localities:—Messrs W. H, \\insor, J W. Bowles, R. Nairn, A. Smith, J. Watts. W. R. Gahagan, F. Jackson. J. R. Andrews, W. Munday and M. \\. Woodfield.

WAIMAIRI. At yesterdav's meeting of the Waimairi County 'Council a letter was received from the Recruiting Committee, asking for the council's assistance with legard to a personal canvass in order t,> obtain recruits, a list being supplied of the names of those persons who were willing to serve under certain conditions. .',.,111 It was decided that the lists should be analysed, and the names placed on separate lists for each riding. The chairman was appointed as the council's representative on the North Canterbury Recruiting Board. Mr W. P. Spencer said that there were many young men about who had told him they would not light under any circumstances, and the only way to o-e+. them would be to introduce conscription. He urged the council to pass ;; resolution to that effect. The matter was held over until the next meeting of the council.