THE RECRUITING SYSTEM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13699, 1 June 1915, Page 7

THE RECRUITING SYSTEM.

AUCKLAND'S GRIEVANCE

(Special to Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. Remarkable statements continue to be forthcoming, from, the Minister for Defence (Hon. James Allen) (states tns Star) with reference to his remarks reported last week that there was ashoi'tage of recruits, ''that there was a call for married men, and that Auckland was 450 men short on the latest requirement from this centre. It will be remembered that m reply to a telegram from the Mayor, asking for an explanation of the statement, Mr Allen pointed out that it was with reference to an examination of the position. On Mtiy 15th when the Tecrmting for the 7th reinforcements and the two extra battalions required for May 30th was not satisfactory. To this the Mayor replied that there were many men m Auckland anxious to join the forces, hut- could-not gain admission owing to the required number having already been forthcoming,' J fthd urging tliat the Government should do! (something m the direction o£ making provision fox immediately admitting men who reregistered. In reply to his suggestion Mr Gunson has received a telegram (printod helow) from which it will be seen that the Minister admits that there are unemployed men who cannot gain admission to the forces, and points out that- the immediate ''acceptance of un-. employed men would mean keeping other and perhaps more suitable men from joining— this m the face of the assertion that Auckland was 450 men short a fortnight ago. THE ACTUAL POSITION.

As a matter" of fact the position m regard to the reinforcements and the two extra battalions is as follows : The two extra battalions left on Friday with more offers than acceptances. For the seventh reianforcements 113 men, of whom 75 are infantry, are wanted, while on the books to-day there is well over 300 men "offering m Auckland. Vacancies for the mounted reinforcements have been filled many, months ahead. Mr Aliens' telegram 'to the Mayor was as follows : "Your telegram just received will have every considera; tion; but if your suggestion were given effect to it would mean the Defence Department making provision for the unemployed to be taken as soldiers^ whilst men m employment equally willing to z,o, and perhaps more suitable as soldiers, would have to wait till the mompjoved were absorbed. I don't think this cjood for the quality of the reinforcements, 'nor fair to men m employment. Do you?— J. Allen." DISSATISFIED DEPUTATIONS.

Yesterday afternoon thn Mayor despatched the following telegram to the Minister of Defence: "The Hon. the Minister of Defence, Wellington.— ln reply to your telegram of 29th inst., m view of the recruiting standard your reference to unemployed' seems scarcely justified, and does not overcome the difficulty which I represented to you. The principal point is that great dissatisfaction exists m regard to men who, m response to the authorities,' appeal, are offering themselves. This raises the question as to whether New Zealand is doing sufficient. I have been asked to receive several deputations on the matter, and if it eeems necessai-y. I ■will communicate with you again.— J. H. Gunson. Mayor."

STARTLING FEATURES. j "The Minister's attitude to me seems inexplicable m view of Mr Allen's quite recent statements that recruits were not coming forward m sufficient numbers," eaid Mr Gunson to a Star representative. "It seems to me that we will quickly reach a point when the Dominion will have to do considerably more."

Surely, urged Mr Gunson, the Bervices of the men who were willing to serve King and country could be accepted. Great Britain with its 40 millions had supplied three millions odd or ti per cent of its population, as well as supplying workers for other .war requirements. New Zealand, with a population of a million, had sent Or had m training not more than 20,000 or 2 per cent of the population. Comment on these startling figures was unnecessary.