SLACK RECRUITING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16020, 11 September 1915, Page 7

SLACK RECRUITING.

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. CONSCRIPTION FAVOURED. (Beosi-red September 10, 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, September 10. Becruiting in the city is slackening, and the total number of men who volunteered during the current week has been considerably below recent averages. The feeling in favour of national service is deepening.' Branches of the Universal Service League are being formed in various States. A letter has been sent by the promoters to prominent citizens asking them to join the movement and setting out its objects—advocating for the period of the war the principle of universal compulsory service at home or abroad, on the battlefield or elsewhere, and securing the passage of legislation to that end. It is pointed out that membership of the league does not involve the adoption of the principle of service abroad as a permanent part of the defence system. This principle is merely advocated as a necessary and equitable means of meeting the present grave national emergency. DESERTIONS FROM FORCES. TROUBLE INCREASING. (Received September 10, 11 p.m..) Sydney, September 10. The matter of desertions from the forces is becoming serious.. The last batch of 304 reinforcements returned from final leave 90 short. A further 30 deserted before embarkation.