VIGOROUS RECRUITING CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE SUPPORTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 June 1939, Page 6

VIGOROUS RECRUITING CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE SUPPORTED

REALISING that in the. present unsettled condition of world affairs the time factor is vitally important and measures for national ! security must be speeded up—particularly the expansion of our j land forces—the Government is t launching a vigorous recruiting ; campaign. This is being conduct-! ed under the direction of a Do* minion Recruiting Committee, with the dual purpose of bringing the Territorial Force up to its new strength of 16,000, and of increasing the Reserve to a reasonable figure. Recruiting officers are being appointed in each district to visit the centres where recruits are needed, seek the assistance of all prominent citizens organised cither as Territorial or Unit Associations, and carry out the actual recruiting. With the view of stimulating helpful and friendly rivalry between towns and prdVinces in the different areas a district honours list is to be published, showing those centres which have filled their quotas and drawing attention to localities where further effort is required. Over recent months the New Zealand Defence League has done most valuable spade-work in endeavouring to impress upon Government and people alike the imperative necessity of adequate preparation for defence, especially in the provision of properlytrained man-power. No doubt its assistance will continue to be given although it is convinced that the most satisfactory and most equitable method to adopt and one certain also of obtaining the quickest and most effective results is a system of universal comouLory military training. The Government, however, thinks otherwise. As will be seen by a statement published in this issue announcing the launching of more vigorous recruiting efforts, the Prime Minister believes this ■is not the time to change our i system of recruiting. We agree 'with his tribute to the Dominion’s volunteer forces. Their services warranted it. At the same time we think he was mistaken—especially at a time when the unity of all should be the aim of all—in saying that those whp do not think exactly as he does on the subject of method of recruiting “are doing a grave disservirw to the country.” Their main objective is the same as his. The matter of defence is not a political or party issue, but one on which the nation should be united. The Prime Minister, we have no doubt, really recognises this. He and his fellow Ministers have been impressed by the recommendations of the recent Pacific Defence Conference and by the confirmatory report of MajorGeneral Mackesy. This is made clear in Mr Savage’s statement and also in the Speech from the Throne yesterday when the Governor-General made reference to the grave and increasing anxiety of the international situation. The Prime Minister’s appeal should receive the immediate attention of the whole community and prompt response from those in a position to respond to the call for defence of home and country. We repeat the final words of the appeal: “The call to serve is not only a call to New Zealand manhood, but to every citizen to co-operate in showing; recognition that the man who joins up is serving his country and his district. Everyone can help. I appeal confidently for your cooperation.” The time to join up is now.