RECRUITING RALLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16824, 13 October 1916, Page 3

RECRUITING RALLY

A POOR RESULT The H'-crmting Committee is o\idently kviwiig no moan's untried to bring homo to tlioio eligible to join the dominion fouft tho obligations imposed upon them In order to airest tho attention ot such tho I'icorit recruiting rallies at tho Town lf.ill sti ps_ ln\o been rendoied additionally iittrartivo by tho inclusion in tho jnogiammo of pictures and music outside the playing ot the local bands, which h.i\e voiy roadih K-.ponded to tho request joi as-isfjnce La-4 (.veiling the baud of the Fouitli Regiment, under tho baton of Lieutenant George, played a number of stirung selections, and its eflorts wei" strengthened by tho attendance of a number oi Ihe mcmbeis of tho Oiphans' Club, who hang some patriotic music \ery creditably. Tho puturos placed upon the screen had intnraliy a boirmg upon tho war, and completions among them \\ ere se\ oral connected \\ ith the death of Nurso Cavoll, of uhich tho occasion w.ib tho ammersaiy

Tho ihairinan was Lieutenant coloncl Rionoham. who mentioned in tho course of his remarks that, tho response to tho c ills of duty had boon somewhat meagre during tho last few months. Otago was asked for 262 men for tho Tv/cnty-second Romfoifoments, which was an advanco on previous lequisitions. Tho speakers of tho evening were the Rev. W. Greenslade and Chaplain-captain Elliott, tho former stating that he supposed that all admitted that about tho most dastardly action the Germans had perpetrated was tho murder of Nuise Cavoll. lie icfeirod to tho fine and lioblo character of Nurso Oavell If such an act as her murder did not stir tho blood that rushed through our veins he did not know what would Then there were tho casualty lists coming through daily, and if those did not move tho most callous nothing in tho wide world would moie them save compulsion. 11l Scottish Otago wo believed in patriotism of tho first water, and he appealed to young fellows of Scottish parentage to do what their fathers and grandfathers would have Mono.

Chaplain-captain Elliott said that English history was great \\ith tho names of great women and men, and among them was the name of Nurse Cavoll. Ho related tho storv of her murder by tho Germans, and made this the basis of a strong appeal to those men fit to join the dominion forces to come forward and declare their willingness to enlist. Ho mentioned incidentally that Nurso •Cavoll's murder had silenced objections to Lord Derby's scheme, which had boon carried to a successful issue. Tho result of tho strong appeals made was very disappointing, only one rocruit responding, while another intimated his intention' of joining on the following clay. THE CALL FOR MORE MEN. Tho call for more men is imperative today, and tho response is not in keeping with that call. A Luge nnmbor are still required for this reinforcement if it is not to go away short. So far tho response has been so small that it is far from being in keeping with the efforts made. Possibly, and even probably, the committee say, largo numbers are awaiting conscription. If so, they will soon have their wish gratified. Others think tho war will soon bo o\ or, but the necessity for men must -continue right up to the very end. Tho rccruitmg demonstration at the Town Ilall steps tonight will have tho services of two of our best speakers, the Re\s. C. Eaton and S. G. Griffith. With tho large gaps aio being mado in our ranks, corresponding numbers must enrol for the purpose of Idling them, and if shortages occur to-day, tho effoct must bo felt later on. To-day this can bo prevented by enlisting, and tho committee asks cligiblos to do so to-day, when it can bo done as a volunteer. There will be moving pictures of our troops by Mr Simpson, and music by tho Dunedin Pipo Band.