APPEAL FOR RECRUITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16096, 9 December 1915, Page 4

APPEAL FOR RECRUITS.

MEN FOR THE "TWELFTHS" PATRIOTIC LEAGUE ACTION. NUMBERS NEEDED IN FOUR WEEKS. STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR. The decline in the number of recruits coming forward is now engaging the attention of the Patriotic League, which is considering what steps should be taken to ensure a constant supply of men to make up the Auckland district's quota for future reinforcements. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Gunson, stated yesterday that all the centres of the province had been communicated with by the 1 league in regard to this matter. A request had been received from Te Aroha that the Hon. George Fowlds and Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P.. should visit the town on Tuesday. Both of these gentlemen had acceded to the request, and they would accordingly address a meeting there on the day mentioned for the purpose of stimulating recruiting. " The position in regard to recruiting at the present time," said Mr. Gunson, " is that the total number of men who have enlisted up to and including Tuesday will be required for the eleventh reinforcements. Work upon the twelfth reinforcements has now been commenced, and some 600 men are required within the next four weeks. There are, however, 500 men on the books who have enlisted for' service in either the Army Service Corps or the Medical Corps, or for work on the hospital ship. All these men have passed a medical examination and have been declared fit. It would help matters considerably in connection with the raising of our quota for the twelfth reinforcements if a substantial number of these men would allow their names to be transferred to the infantry and mounted rifles sections of the twelfths. I am advised that in the Army Service Corps and the Medical Corps the enlistments greatly exceed what will seemingly be required for many months to come. In view of this position, therefore, it would seem a proper thing that these men should allow their names to be transferred to fill up other sections. This would greatly relieve the position, and I trust that the men will signify their willingness to fall in with this proposal. In doing this they will "play the game,' as, indeed, their enlistment for service shows that they are anxious to do. "On Friday," continued Mr. Gunson, the returns are due from the province showing the week's recruiting, and we will then be able to see what the" position is in regard to the number of men required for the twelfth reinforcements. It will then be determined whether any further action is necessary in the city. The fact remains that, up to date, Auckland City has had no difficulty in providing all the men required. Our quota for the eleventh reinforcements is " already secured, and we have four weeks within which to get the twelfths. I am sure that the appeal now being renewed will ensure the coming forward of the requisite number of men. for the' next draft. This period wfll probably be the most difficult wo have yet experienced, for many men appear to be anxious to spend the holidays at home, and intend to enlist in the February and March drafts. In the meantime we must find the number required for the January quota, and an appeal is made, to. all eligible men to see that this is done."