THE RECRUITING SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16169, 4 March 1916, Page 6

THE RECRUITING SCHEME.

The campaign for recruits about to be commenced in Auckland / may fairly -be regarded as the final or voluntaryism, so far as the city is concerned. /Opinions may differ re« garding the probabilities of; success,' but when the position is thoroughly understood'. there should be no difference of opinion regarding the advisability of making' the effort. The National //Government,''., after ; due consideration, has decided—for whaS the Prime Minister •. describes as " weighty reasons"— continue the system of voluntary enlistment.~~ln the;circumstances, , ; the . Recruiting Board' ,is not, asking ; too r much of loyal; citizens in war time when it appeals to them to subordinate their own opinions, accept the Government's judgment, and do what they can to find the needed recruits. .'/The City Recruiting Committee has taken up the new I scheme in this spirit. In some of the suburbs, notably in Mount Albert, •. there j is" equal enthusiasm, but in others the appeals of the Recruiting Board have met with more criticism than help. : It may 'be pointed out in this connection that if compulsion must come—as some members of local bodies believe—it will come more smoothly, and be more : generally acceptable,/ after a universal crusade in the in- , terests .-• of volunteering ,' ; than it would be if Parliament were to meet at once, and pass the necessary legislation, If, on the other hand, the movement is as successful Q as the Prime Minister anticipates, the laggard districts will have to follow their more active neighbours, and either make up, for time lost or be left ; behind in the race. In either case, and whatever the result,- there should, for the time being, be but one view,of the matter, and a- great, joint 1 effort to assist the : Defence Department >in • .finding all ; the fre-; : cruits it requires. ; .■•• •-