TO BE FULFILLED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 14 January 1916, Page 4

TO BE FULFILLED

OUR BARGAIN WITH THE OLD ■COUNTRY. GOVERNMENT WILL NOT HESITATE. jjD-MiHiig with the method of obtaining recruits,' the lion. James Allen, Minister for (Defence, stated, at the Wellington tra-mwnymen's farewell function, that the National Government Jiad decided to attempt at any rate to obtain thonecossary men under cho voluntary principle. Re was not going to sayi whether lliat principle -was si soiuid one or not. Personally, he would iiave liked to see everything organised so that those who had the smallest ties and least burdens could be ■first asked to serve their country. We had.' decided on the voluntary system, and if everyone who could servo thecountry came forward, it would not bo necessary to convert it into a compulsory scheme. "After all, a, democracy does not hke compulsion if it can he avoided," added Mr Allen, "but if the time comes' * iS? there is any ,si^n of ' om ' failing, to fulfil our. bargain with the Old Cbnntrv ■and the men who have left us, then, be"lieve me, there will be no hesitation o'n the.part of the. National Government in carrying out our* bargain to the full. (Warm applause). . I hope the time will not come when we -will have to 'adopt any form of compulsion. . The voluntary system is tho one approved by Parliament and the,- people, and wo would rather that this -system' succeeded. Tt Avill succeed if all those men who can do so come forward and sav : Put me down' for January or February or March, as tho cas© may ibe. Then when the call comes -to serve their King and flag thev will know that they have not failed in their duty." (Applause).