The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1916. THE PERSONAL CANVASS.

Southland Times, Issue 17662, 21 February 1916, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1916. THE PERSONAL CANVASS.

On Saturday morning we published a full statement by the Recruiting Board of the reasons which decided them in favour of the personal canvass and of the purpose which the personal canvass is meant to serve. This explanation was made, no doubt, because a number of local bodies have declined to assist in the Board's scheme on the ground that compulsory sevvice ought to be brought into force without delay. That this opinion is widely held is beyond doubt. The best available evidence, the testimony of those who have been actively engaged in recruiting work in all parts of the dominion, is practically unanimous that the great majority of the people are in favour of conscription. Of course, conscription in the proper sense of the term is not intended, hut the word is in common use and will serve the purpose. Eighteen months of the voluntary system have served to bring into prominence its inequalities, anomalies and injustices. It is not fair to the man at the front, or to the men who

are willing to go, or to the families which have made sacrifices. On a national vote at the present time a proposal to adopt conscription would he carried hy a majority representing the bulk of the people. However, as

we have already said in this place, it is desirable that a great effort should

be made to achieve success by voluntary recruiting. To provide all the men required for the Expeditionary Force for the duration of the war as volunteers would be a remarkable triumph of patriotism, and a personal preference for compulsion or conscription is not an adequate reason for refusing to assist in the Government’s scheme. Lord Derby, who organised and conducted the great recruiting scheme in Britain, was a convinced supporter of the compulsory system, but he deemed it his duty as a patriotic citizen to take up the duties of Director of Recruiting when the Government asked him to assume the office. It is clearly the duty of those engaged in the public affairs of this dominion, even though their private opinion should be at variance with the Board’s proposals, to assist in this effort to stimulate recruiting. But there is another reason why the scheme should be taken up and heartily supported. The essence of the scheme is the personal canvass. The object is to obtain not only recruits, but also an absolutely full and complete list of all the men in the dominion eligible for military service. This list is as necessary for a compulsory as for a voluntary scheme. II compulsion should become necessary the Government will not hesitate to adopt it. The men required have to be obtained, and if, despite all efforts, they cannot he Induced to offer themselves for service Parliament will give the Government power to call them to colours. The eligibles will be grouped on the Home system, married and single, those with and those without dependants, those with heavy business responsibilities and those with none, those engaged in necessary industries and those in employment wtyich is not vital. Obviously these groups cannot be; formed unless the Government is in possession of complete and accurate information. The National Register was satisfactory as far as it went, but as the Board points out its “accuracy was governed only by the conscience and loyalty of the individual. There was practically no check upon the man who failed to give the information directed by the National Register Act or deliberately refrained from doing so.” The personal canvass will he a check which will perfect the information which the Government needs in order to fix the quotas for each military district upon an equitable basis, and in order, if compulsion becomes necessary, to group men eligible for service and call them up in proper order. The explanation and appeal made by the Board should be studied by all whose assistance is sought, and we feel sure that when the value, indeed the necessity, of the personal canvass is'more clearly understood, co-operation with the Recruiting Board in this effort will he spontaneous and hearty throughout the dominion.