FOR HOME SERVICE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 8

FOR HOME SERVICE.

RECRUITS WANTED.

VACANCIES IN FIELD ARTILLERY.

Men are required to replace the Field Artillery section of the Royal New Zealand Artillery at present m New Zealand. Applicants should apply at the offices of the adjutants to the Field Artillery Brigades at Auckland, Palmerston North. Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington. The following only will ho accepted: (1) Mon unfit for active service hut fi£ for home service. (2) Returned soldiers unfit for further active service, but fit for home service, i T .

The age limit is twenty to forty-six. Pay is at tho Expeditionary Force rates, with rations and clothing.

CITIZENS’ DEFENCE CORPS.

STOPPAGE OF VOLUNTARY \ RECRUITING.

MINISTER OF DEFENCE PUZZLED.

[From Our Correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, September 27. The Minister of Defence is considerably puzzled over a telegram received to-day from the Citizens’ Defence Corps stating that recruiting by it will stop meanwhile, but assuring him of its willingness to render any assistance if called on in future.

Mr Allen assured a representative of tho “Lyttelton Times” that ho hoped that the Citizens’ Defenco Corps will not relax for a moment its valuable vrorlj, as it is so essential to make up the shortage in the Twenty-first Reinforcements and send in tho Twentysecond at full strength. Ho cannot understand why the Citizens’ Defenco Corps thinks tho Defence Department wishes its efforts to cease, because in his telegram yesterday outlining the legal position regarding attestation procedure ho concluded: “ An officer will bo i>rovided to attend under the arrangement made between you and the officer commanding the district. I most sincerely liopo you will continue the good work you have done in the past. Every assistance will be given by the Defenco Department.” Tho Minister, when asked why recruiting was held up for lack ot the proper attestation forms, declared that the forni3 should have been in Christchurch in . time. He would investigate, 'the cause of the regrettablo delay.

It was stated in the newspapers yesterday, that, in consequence of recom, changes, the offices of , the Citizens Defence Corps would remain, closed for the present. It is now explained that this is not correct. Tho offices will remain open for the transaction of all tho business it lias taken in hana tram tho beginning, except actual recruiting. The office still will be an information bureau, and will in all ways in its power help recruits, soldiers* and returned soldiers.

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD,

MR MILLION’S APPOINTMENT,

REFERENCES BY THE MAYOR. The Mayor expressed to newspaper representatives yesterday his pleasure at tho announcement that Mr J. D. Millton, officer in chargo of tho Citizens’ Defence Corps, lias been appointed a member of the Military Service Board. Mr Holland said that Mr Millton had dono admirablo' work amongst.recruits and soldiers in Christchurch, and his experience and ability should bo very valuable to tho new board.

TIME FOR ACTION

APPEAL BY MINISTER OF DEFENCE.

“If the people of this country want tho voluntary principle to continue, every man who is. of that opinion must set himself to work to secure the necessary number of recruits. Ido not think there is much value now in platform speaking, but there is value in the man of military age recognising that • the timo has come when he lias to make up his mind.”

That is the way in w hich the Minister of Defence (the Hon J. Allen) expressed himself to a “Post” reporter on' Tuesday, and he added that the man ho referred to had to put himself in the position of either being excused bj a Military Appeal Board or being sent into camp under compulsion. “I do think,” he added, “that one has a right to appeal to the pride of the country. I do not profess to be a firm believer in .the voluntary principle myself, but'l am out to sec it through, if we tail, it will be a source of satisfaction to our national pride that *.t any rate we did our l>est; it would be a still greater source of satisfaction if, wdien the war is over, we could point to the fact that all our reinforcements had been recruited on the . voluntary system.’’

RECRUITING DISTRICTS

BOUNDARIES DEFINED,

*• [Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, September 27. - Tho “ Gazette ” to-night defines recruiting districts, including:— No. 9 (Christchurch) —Comprising the counties of Waimairi, Heathcoto, Paparua, Halswcll, Mount Herbert, Akaroa, Waiiwa and Chatham Islands. • - No., 10 (South Canterbury)—Comprising tho counties of Ashburton, Geral-, dine, Levels, Wa-imate and Mackenzie. No. 11 (North Canterbury)—Comprising the counties of Anniri, Cheviot, Waipara, Ashley, Kowai, Rangiora, Oxford,- Eyre, Tawern, Malvern, Springs, Ellesmere and Selwyn. No. 12 (Nelson) —Comprising the counties of Collingivood, Taknka* Wai-

mea, Sounds. Marlborough, Awatere and Kaikoura. No. 21 (West Coast)— Comprising tho counties of Westland,. Grey, Inangahua, Buller and Murchison.

THE TWENTY-FIRSTS

STILL SHORT.

[Per Prhss Association.] WELLINGTON, September 27. . Notwithstanding tlie arrival of additional recruits, who went to camp yesterday, the Twenty-first Reinforcements are 609 men short.