RECRUITING

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 584, 23 December 1915, Page 11

RECRUITING

: the new; board.

ITS FIRST DUTIESV

FILLING UP THE GAPS.

[Special to The Sun.l

WELLINGTON, December 22

I The Prime Minister (Right Hon. iSvV F. Massey) informed your correspondent to-night that the first iheeting of the Recruiting Board was likely to be held within the next fpw days. The only cause of delay was the indisposition of Sir Joseph AJVard, who w-as in his office to-day briefly, for the first time, after eight cjr ten days* confinement td his room. | The board, as announced yesterday, consists of Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr Allen. Its first tpsk will be the selection of a secretary, who will probably "be an experienced departmental officer. A Very large amount of will fall lib his lot wlien.vthe scheme #in full operation, and'local organisations throughout the Dominion are asking fpr advice, direction, and assistance. ? ' The secretary will; have adequate clerical staff, also a central office. 4 , The Defence Department* ?in the meantime," appears to be {-|fconciled to the shortage, *fn theOTh Reinforcement. Everything depends on the January'response to the recruiting call., If enough men come, forward to fill the 12th Reinforcement, and also to fill the gaps in .the 11th, njo harm will have been done, since there is a reserve of partially-train-ed men in the Special Reserve announced by the Defence Minister during the session. The Recruiting "Board, however, has got to get to ■Work quickly; ,