THE C.D.C. BUREAU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17284, 27 September 1916, Page 8

THE C.D.C. BUREAU.

TO STOP RECRUITING

SYMPATHETIC MESSAGE FROM

DEFENCE MINISTER

Tho Citizens' Defence Corps, which almost since the commencement of tho war has conducted a recruiting bureau, and has enrolled over 5000 reciuits, has been making inquiries regarding its legal ability to carry on the work under the new regulations requiring the attestation of recruits after passing the medical test. A telegram sent to tho Minister of Defence on the subject elicited the following telegraphic reply:— "I regret that the law is distinct and does not allow anyone but an officer of tho Defence Forces to administer the oath of allegiance. 1 quote you Section 8, Sub-section 2, of the Expeditionary Forces Act, 1915 :—' Such oath shall bo taken before any officer of the Defence Forces authorised in that behalf by the Commandant.' An officer will bo provided to attend under arrangement

made between you and the officer commanding the district. I most sincerely hope that you will continue tho good work you have done in tho past. Every assistance will be given you by the Defence Department.—

J. Allen, Minister of Defence." To this communication tho following reply was sent by the-Citizens' Defence Corps :

"Thanks for telegram. Will stop recruiting meantime. Glad to give service in future if required." A reporter who called at tho Citizens' Defence Corps offices last evening found them closed, and on making inquiries was informed that tho office will remain closod, for tho present at all 'events.

VOL UNTA RY IIEORU ITING STAFFS.

DEADLOCK IN WELLINGTON

[FnOM OITR CoERESrONUKXT.J

WELLINGTON, September 26

Special difficulties which have arisen here over tho voluntary recruiting staffs have features of interest for other centres, where tho chief stimulus to recruiting has hitherto been a voluntary effort. This has ended in Wellington under unpleasant conditions. A staff of unpaid workers, under a retired Imperial officer. Captain Barclay, has maintained this, central depot since October, 1915, 4654 recruits having enrolled. When the official decision to pay a- recruit upou attestation was announced, the Defence Department, in order to secure its hold on tho recruit, insisted that a military officer must ndniiuister tho oath of allegiance. Captain Barclay's voluntary staff requested tho Department to give them the right to carry out tho procedure, but this is impossible tinder the statute, henco a deadlock, which resulted in tho central office closing on Saturday. Fresh arrangements in the Town Hall commenced to-day with a Defence Department officer in charge. Writing to Captain Barclay explaining tho new proposals for attestation, the Minister of Defence stated that the law provides that the oath of allegiance must bo taken before an officer of the Defence Forces. "It is very desirable," continued Mr Allen, " that attestation papers should be signed at tho time the oath is taken. I understand that General Robin will make some ..arrangement so that a military officer may D 0 present in the- Town Hall to swear men in when this is being done. "The officer can also deal with attestation papers. Please understand I do not nor dees tho Government wish in any way to abandon voluntary enlistment', but the man who volunteers must become amenable to military law, otherwise his voluntary enlistment- may be used as a means of escaping his responsibilities by not answering the call to come into camp when it is made. You and your committee have done splendid work for us in assisting the voluntary movement, and I am very anxious indeed that you should continue that good work in future." Captain Barclay, in the course of his rejoinder, states:—"As I understand your desire is that the voluntary system should he still a success, I question the wisdom of the proposed procedure with regard to forcing the military element into a purely civilian or ciiizens' phase of voluntary recruiting." The Minister of Defence pointed out to your correspondent that while the attestation paper can be witnessed by a person other than a defence officer, tho Government had no option in connection with administering the oath, , Section 8 Sub-section 2 of the Expeditionary Force Act, 1915, reading:— " Such oath shall be taken before an officer cf the Defence Force authorised in that behalf bv the commandant." Mr Alio:': added that every possible arranjemont to' moot the position o. the voluntary staff was suygpsted, and the authorities were prepared to make Captain Barclay an officer of the i Forces, but this suggestion, which had . emanated from tho Mayor, was in- ' stantly rejected by Captain' Barclay, who declined to come under any official control.