RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16099, 13 December 1915, Page 7

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN.

POSITION IN THE SOUTH

POOR RESPONSE TO APPEAL.

DR. McNAB DISCOURAGED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Sunday. The Hon. Dr. R. McNab passed through Christchurch last evening on his return to Wellington from the South, where he has just completed his first recruiting campaign in the South Island, and he will conduct another campaign in Canterbury next January. In an interview Dr. McNab said that he could not describe his recent campaign as satisfactory. He believed that recruiting had got worse through the publication of the national census figures. The publication of these results had caused a large number of men who otherwise would have offered their services to hang back for conscription. Poor as the response to the call for men was in Christchurch that in Otago was infinitely worse., while the demand for the introduction of conscription was far stronger in Otago than in Canterbury. So strong was it in Otago that many prominent persons would not go on the recruiting platform on the ground that conscription should be introduced. Commenting generally noon his tour of the South Island the Minister said : " I found a condition of things I never thought of when I started on my campaign ; recruiting has got so low." Asked as to the chances of conscription being introduced shortly if the recuriting figures did not improve the Minister said: "We have got to send the required number of reinforcements to the front because they are very badly wanted. Until the Cabinet discusses the question of conscription, however, no person can say what will bo done." DEMAND FOE CONSCRIPTION VOLUNTARY SYSTEM "UNFAIR." [by telegraph. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Rotorua, Saturday. At a meeting of the executive of the Rotorua Centre of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Distress Relief Association held last night a resolution i was passed emphatically expressing the opinion that the voluntary system is unfair, and has proved ineffective, and that the Government be urged to establish compulsory military service wath the least possible delay. j MEETING AT PALMERSTON. CAPITAL AND MAN POWER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—rBESS ASSOCIATION.] Palsterston North, Sunday. An open-air meeting was held here last night in the Square, when Mr. H. C. Robinson, of Masterton, delivered an address on recruiting matters. The Salvation Army Band assisted. Mr. Andrew Guy, solicitor, was chairman. The following resolution was carried " That New Zealand set an example of unitv to the Empire by organising to the full its capital and man-power for the war, and requests that Parliament be convened for that purpose, and undertakes to absolutely support the National Government in whatever steps it decides to take towards victory."