"RECEIVING" CAMPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16099, 13 December 1915, Page 4

"RECEIVING" CAMPS

Auckland may fairly claim that consideration in military matters which is due to districts which have so far done their duty as it has been laid upon them. It is the earnest desire of our citizens to support the Defence Department loyally and steadily even though they generally think that the system in vogue might be improved upon. This district not only fills its own quotas but assists Wellington to make up shortages in South Island quotas. This is creditable to the district but cannot be used as an argument to prove the superiority of existing methods. Dr. McNab is evidently not satisfied by the results of his recruiting campaign in the South, where alleged preference for conscription appears to have become the favourite excuse for undeniable slackness. If we are to have conscription, well and good, but if we are to rely on volunteering the Defence Department should place itself in closer touch with the public. It is encouraging to .observe a growing departmental tendency in this direction. Whatever may be the situation at the present moment., it is quite common knowledge that in the past many recruits were lost by the delayedtraining system. Undoubtedly a considerable number went from the Dominion to Australia to enlist, while others who put down their names have not since been heard from. At a discussion which took place on Saturday between members of Parliament and the Defence authorities, the latter, while insistent upon the value of concentration camps, appeared disposed to consider local "receiving " camps. Such camps ought to assist subsequent concentration training, and would enable recruits to put on uniform as soon as they made up their minds to enlist.