Unwise To Wait For Conscription

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1940, Page 6

Unwise To Wait For Conscription

t Special to "Northern Advocate ”l DUNEDIN, This Day. "The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) pointed out that the Government had no intention of bringing in conscription,” said Mr Arthur MacDonald on his return from Wellington, where he represented the Otago recruiting committee at a conference of recruiting organisations, which was held there last week. "Rumours are gaining ground, however. to the effect that conscription cards are being printed and will be issued in March, and subversive propaganda of this nature is seriously hindering recruiting." "Conscription definitely will not be introduced in the Dominion by the Government, and as thousands of men are holding back in the entirely erroneous belief that compulsory service will come. The sooner they banish that from their minds the sooner will recruiting figures rise.” Ii was a complex among the people of the Dominion that the response to recruiting appeals was poor, he continued. Response Better Than in 1914 This was definitely wrong; the reverse was the case. Including air and naval forces there had been almost 40,000 men who had contributed to the Dominion's war effort in five months. This response was far greater than for the corresponding period in 1914. By February 13, 37,341 had registered, 17.701 had been passed as fit, 4201 were waiting for medical examination, 13,759 had been posted to camps, and 2125 were classed as fit and available for the Third Echelon. What made a deep impression at the conference of the recruiting committees w.as the complete harmony between the Labour and National interests, commented Mr MacDonald. All decisions were reached unanimously.