NATIONAL RECRUITING SCHEME.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLII, Issue 12822, 14 April 1916, Page 8

NATIONAL RECRUITING SCHEME.

Per Pbess Association. Gishonic, April 12. Sir Joseph Ward con tinned his recruiting campaign by addressing a crowded > audience of about 2000 per sons in His Majesty's Theatre, Gi.sbornc, to-night. The Mayor, Mr W. G. Sherratt, presided. Sir Joseph received an ovation. He said they were-all'interested in the returned) soldiers and! also in those who were -riot-taking tip arms. They appreciated the fact that no man could do more for his friend than give His life for him— lie strongly appealed!, to his audience to ,<lb everything in their power to induce eligible men to enlist and thus save the voluntary svstc'm,. -which was on its last trial. The Government was anxious to see that all the men needed went to the front being forced to go, and: the new recruiting scheme, -was voluntaryism's .-'"last say.""'Parliament would be asked! this session to put compulsion into operation, if at were found necessary to take tliat step. Personally, he did not like conscription. Canada, Australia r and South. Africa had avoided conscription, and New Zealand wanted to do the same.'but he would not only support' it; but' Would' regard compulsion as a necessity, if the men required did liot come along voluntarily to do their duty.—(Applause.) He pointed out in many cases single men had responsibilities just as great as married men, and such had just as much right to be exempted' as the married men.