Conference at Te Aroha.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVII, Issue 3683, 13 October 1916, Page 2

Conference at Te Aroha.

DEFENCE MINISTER PRESENT

A conference of representatives of, local bodies was held at Te Aroha yesterday for the purpose of discussing the question of organising the No. 2 Military Group, to assist with recruiting, and the operation of the Military Service Act. The following were perseht: Messrs J. B. Thomas and F. W. Walters (Piako County), J. D. Morrison and R. Coulter (Te Aroha Borough) , C. E. Lloyd and P. Grace. (Ohinemuri County), J. McCaw (Matamata County), W. J. Towers and W. H. Taylor (Paeroa Borough), Donaldson and Gouvain (Waihi Borough), Burgess and Jones (Coromandel), E. Claxton (Thames County), Lowe and Coakley (Thames Borough), Howie (Morrinsvilie).

Major Browne, 0.C., the Group Commandant, was also present.

Mr. J. B. Thomas was elected to the chair.

Apologies were received from Messrs J. W. Anderson (Matamata) and R. W. Bagnall (Thames County).

Mr. R. S. Hanna, secretary, read a telegram from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. James Allen, stating that he wquld arrive in Te Arena during the afternoon to attend the meeting.

A letter from the Recruiting Board was also read, requesting the local bodies concerned to take action in the direction ; ot organising the group.

Major Browne supplied information as to the proposed working of the Compulsory Act. He stated that for the 22nd Reinforcements he had to secure 86 men before the 17th of October. To. meet this he had received 30 enlistments, and he asked the meeting to assist him in finding the remainder. He had rolls prepared giving the names of all eligible men in each district, and on the motion of Mr. J. D. Morrison it was resolved to supply the same to the respective local committees.

Major Browne explained the provisions, under section 35 of the Act, for calling- up members of families who were not represented at the front. The Committees would be asked to sup: plement the rolls supplied, and to check the names afterwards, forwarding them to the Paeroa office.

Mr. Grace said he would #like to see the Goyernment immediately put section,3s of the Act into operation.

He moved that the Government be requested to do so. Mr Howie seconded.

Mr. Morrison said the Government were the best judges as to when it was necessary to put this into operation.

The chairman considered it was very necessary as voluntaryism had failed, and many men had enlisted who should not have gone until the "shirkr ers" were forced to go. . The motion was carried. Major Browne explained that the rolls .when completed would be forwarded to Wellington, and the Recruiting Board would decide how many men were required from each district. Under the new Act a man could not enrol in any district other than that in which he resides. Mr. Claxton said it would be_ unfair in, the case of a district which had provided 90 per cent, of its eligible men, to be called upon to provide the same number of men as a district which had only supplied 50 per cent. ■ Mr. Lowe supported Mr Claxton, and said shirker districts should receive attention the same as shirker families. (Hear, hear.) A circular letter was read, which pointed out that where a district quota was short the local Recruiting Committees would have to decide thp proportion such districts would supply.

Mr. Claxton proposed each district should be given credit for previous enlistments before allotment of their required, contributions.

Mr. Taylor seconded the motion, saying numbers of men were hanging back who would not volunteer, but were ready to go when forced by the Act.

Mr. Coulter referred to the personal element which might enter during balloting, suggesting that undue influence should be carefully guarded against

Mr. Morrison supported the speaker.

Mr. Lloyd said very little could be done until the new rolls were made available.

An adjournment to 3 p.m. was then made.

A resolution of sympathy was passed to Mr. Lowe, who had received advice, during the meeting, of the death of a relative.

Mr. Lowe thanked the meeting, and stated under the circumstances he would not be able to be present during the afternoon.