DOMINION RECRUITING.

North Otago Times, Volume CIII, Issue 13651, 19 August 1916, Page 7

DOMINION RECRUITING.

. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VBECRUITS. ••'..DUNPIN. August 14, An important point dealing with the question of continuing to render financial assistance to recruits now that the Military Service Act is law, was raised at the meeting of the Patriotic Association this morning, when the Hecruiting Committee's report was-under discussion. The committee reported that the sub-committee dealing with the financial difficulties of men who desired to go to Hie 'front had had a number of cases before them during the last six months,'and had been able to successfully deal with most of them, whilst the remainder were such-that; the committee felt' they -were not justified in undertaking ; any responsibility. T(ie most of the £2OO had- been either expended or''earmarked,, and it might now be considered! by the executive whether a further sum should not be placed'at the, disposal,of-the committee. '".'".■ •''■■'■■ The Moii..-J. T. Paul said he did not agree with the statement that because the Military Service' Act was coming into force-relief, should not ;;bd "given. Men had■ gone,away, at'the,.start because they.were free:frorti obligations, and he supposed, that at the, present time just as : 'ihauy. riieri ,were anxious to serve but were.prevented'froin doing to because.of financial difficulties. What was going to, be done?' Surely they could not saj-4and;:-he .did not-think that the Government ..could decently go ard say:..,'.' I'ou must go, whatever sort. iOt'",-saicriti.ee : you have to make." Such an attitude would spell bankruptcy to many men. As a decent community, we dare not do so. The Recruiting Committee would have to do something, He believed it, was fair'to ask-the,Recruit-ing Committee to give the' association a lead in the matter as'the-situation developed. .The 'Military Service Act }vas .not, coming into -effect in toto for come time. The association ought, to do all they could .to-make the sacrifice as nearly.equal'as they possibly''could au,d men. in 'their difficulties, ■ It was .agreed'.that the committee in-vestigate-.tire.'-'position and report. '•' \'■-'"'""\ ". •'■- ':•' .. : "'