CALL FOR RECRUITS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9210, 2 December 1915, Page 6

CALL FOR RECRUITS

APPEAL FOR INFANTRY THE SHORTAGE IN ELEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS. WHAT THE DISTRICTS ARE / DOING. ‘‘Tim need for infantry recruits is still urgent,” said the Defence Minister (Hon. ,!. Allen) last evening. “Mon are coming forward in the various dis-f tricts, but they are not enlisting as fa.R as they are wanted. We need some COO infantry recruits within the next fortnight in order that the Eleventh Reinforcements may go into camp in full strength. That is the plain fact, and it is for the men of the Dominion to see that the shortage.docs not continue.” The Minister said it was a fact that a certain number of men had. registered for service in January and February, but unless they expressed their willingness to go into camp earlier they would not assist the department to fill the December draft. The call for leeruits for tho Eleventh Reinforcements Undoubtedly was urgent, and ho hoped that men who were able to go into camp during tho present mouth would come forward promptly. Tho reinforcements iiad to bo dispatched at the dates already fixed, and it was most important that they should receive their full period of training in this country. DISTRICT REGISTRATIONS. Tho total number of registered men on tho lists is not stated by the Defence Department, hut a return issued yesterday shows the percentage of registrations (including some men not medically tit) in tho four military districts for the week ended Saturday last:— Percentage AVeck AVeck roq. on ended ended population District. Nov. S7tli. Nov, 20th. basis. Auckland 30.15 29.10 25.0 Wellington ... 39.8-1 32.25 32.3 Canterbury ... 18.31 16.93 23.8 Olago 11.00 11.67 17.8 Tho noticeable feature of those figures is that the North Island is providing more than its share of registrations, Wellington leading tho way, while tho southern districts are still lagging behind. But the percentages do not mean that even AVellington is providing recruits as fast as they are wanted.. Auckland and AVellington are doing well in comparison with the south, blit that is because tho south is doing very poorly indeed. No district is providing mfen as fast as they aro wanted at the present juncture. PERCENTAGES FOR UNITS. Tho district percentages for units were as follow on Saturday last for men passed as fit or still on the lists for medical examination, the previous Saturday’s figures being also given:—

Mounted Hides. Week ended Week ended District. Nov. 27th. Nov. 20th. Auckland 19.16 19.11 Wellington -18.29 51.38 Canterbury 20.65 17.19 Otago ..... 11.66 12.32 Artillery. Auckland 25.89 24.43 WelUn.gto n 36.96 37.70 Canterbury 21.11 22.34 Otago 16.01 Engineers. 15.53 Auckland 33.51 33.52 Wellington 41,36 11.76 Canterbury 16.23 18.13 Otago 8.90 Signal Service. 6.59 Auckland 39.28 41.67 Welling ton 11. OS 39.58 Canterbury 11.28 11.58 Otago Infantry. 4.17 Auckland 32.13 31.23 Wellington 10.39 46.55Canterbury 18.29 13.81 Otugo 8.12 Army Service Corps. ‘Auckland 39.28 35.29’ Wellington 31.76 38.35 Canterbury 13.37 14.10 Otago ;. 15.59 Ambulance. 12.20 Auckland 39.31 33.83 Wellington 29.81 34.08 Canterbury' 19.67 16.76 Otugo 11.15 10.74 Veterinary, N Auckland 26.09 2-1.00 Wellington 21.74 24.00 Canterbury 21.71 21.09 Otago 30.43 Hospital Ship. 28.00 Auckland 17.69 44.44 Wellington 20.00 14.82 Canterbury 16.92 13.58 Otago 15.39 27.16 T unnolling Company A uckland 57.14 55.00 Wellington 26.20 25.00 Canterbury 7.14 10.00 Otugo 9.52 10.00 Samoan Relief Force. Auckland 41,93 — Wellington 16. ia — Canterbury 19.36 — Otago Maoris. Auckland 65.52 56.67 Wellington 31.03 43.33 Canterbury — — Otago 3.45