NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5357, 15 February 1916, Page 5

NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

BOROUGH COUNCIL SUPPORT. A CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. The new recruiting scheme was disby the Borough Council last Slight, as the outcome of circular letiters on the subject .from the recruiting board. The Mayor submitted a motion approving the action of the Government in supporting the voluntary principle of service and agreeing ito assist in making the scheme a suc•ess. He pointed out that the local Rex •ruiting Committee had done excellent work, and at the present time there were over forty men waiting to be called up. He did not think it necessary to call a special meeting of the public so far as Paliiatua was concerned, for it had done magnifijjentlv. The motion would show that Council was in sympathy with the .Aemment and wanted to assist ta cm all they could. He thought at the same time they should congratulate the Government on the wav the recruiting had been carried out. It now rested with the community to respond to the call, and if more than they were doing at present was required they would do it. Some might say they should go iu for compulsory service, but be pointed out that the response in men, money, and gifts ox foodstuffs had all been voluntary, aiul the people had responded very well. If they succeeded iu carrying out the voluntary system to the conclusion of the war, it would be very gratifying. Cr. Davidson seconded the motion, and said that if they went any further it would be like compulsion, and * Britisher did not like being forced. Cr. Manifold disagreed with that part at the Mayor’s motion referring to the voluntary system. They were not asked to express an opinion on the voluntary or compulsory system, but simply to assist the new recruiting scheme. With the motion as it was they should be voting on two

issues. The Government were asking for the Council’s assistance, and they should give it without saying what side they were on. Cr. Ross agreed with Cr. Manifold. The Mayor said that personally he was in favour of the voluntary svstem. Cr. Manifold replied that the Mayor was making the motion to suit himself. Ct. Weston did not want to depreciate the efforts of the Recruiting Committee, but contended that the recruits had gone of their own freewill. He was absolutely opposed to the voluntary system. It was most unfair. The Mayor said that one volunteer was worth two pressed men. Cr. Hewat said it luid not Deen proved in this war. The Germans were all pressed men. Cr. Herbert made some remarks across the table about Lord Derby's scheme, the Mayor reminding ium to add ress the chair Cr. Hewat 'aid there was nothing m the circular about voluntaryism or conscription. Of course, if the voluntary system did not get all the men they wanted, some other system would be introduced. Cr. Manifold maintained that the motion covered too much. Mayor took it that the circular asked the Council to support the voluntary system. Cr. Manifold said it asked the Council to assist in getting recruits. The Mayor said it seemed to him that a majority of the councillors were against the voluntary system. • Cr. Ross: That is bringing up a question not asked for. Cr. Manifold held that the motion was introducing politics and that the Mayor was labouring the question. Cr. David-on saw' no harm in the motion.

Cr. Ross.: Oh, yes, there’s an expression qf opinion. The Mayor suggested Councillors oould move an amendment, as he would stick to his motion. Cr. He wot did not think the motion dealt with the recruiting scheme at all. On a division, only the Mayor and Cr. Davidson voted for the motion. At a later stage. Or. Herbert moved : “That the Council is in favour of assisting recruiting as outlined in tin* letter from the Government, and will assist the Recruiting Committee in enrolling recruits, and would ask the chairman of the latter to call a meeting of the Committee to discuss the Government circulars.” Cr. Manifold neconded the motion Cr. Herbeit said the whole of the Council was agreed in supporting recruiting. He felt sorry that there had been a division on the previous motion, as it was likely to convey a wrong impres. then. Cr. Weston said he was in the dark as to the manner in which they could assist recruiting, and he would only be a ‘‘bally hypocrite” to vote for the mot ion. The Mayor mentioned various ways in which recruiting could be asnist*sl. He supported the proposition. The motion was then put and earned. Cr. Weston alone dissenting.