The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1915. THE NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1915. THE NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

In a special message to the press of th» Dominion from the Premier, Six Joseph Ward and the Defence Minister, it is stated that the Recruiting Board has launched its new scheme, under which a personal appeal will be made to the manhood of New Zealand of military age to come forward in defence of the Dominion and the Empire. It is to the press that the Board looks for assistance in promoting the flow of recruits necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Government (as representing the country), and they may confidently rely on its whole-hearted support and corporation in this important matter. It is pointed out that we are face to face with the most critical period in our history, and it is therefore the duty of every true citizen of the Empire, and especially those charged with the conduct of the newspapers of the dominion, to do tlieir utmost to assist in the hour of supreme stress. We have again and again strenuously advocated the recognition by every fit man of military age that honor and duty alike demand his services, but never has there been a time when that demand has been more urgent and insistent than it is at the present time, and will be from now onwards to the end of the war. It is well-known that the Allies are preparing for a gigantic effort as soon as the winter season has passed, and every extra man in the firing line will help to make victory more assured and more speedy. Speaking at the luncheon tendered to Mr. Fisher by the Agents-General, Mr. Bonar Law said: "We shall see this through to a successful end as in time:! past we have seen other things through. The issue is whether our free institutions, and everything for which they stand, can survive against the iron rule of military despotism." The issue is even more momentous, for it involves the existence of the Empire and the dominions. It is not so much the question of New Zc-a-landers coming forward to fight for Britain and the cause of freedom, as fighting for themselves and the liberty of their country. What is also beyond all question is the fact that the New Zealanders are just the type of men who are so urgently needed, for they liave astonished the world by their indomitable courage and prowess. Lord Kitchener is not given to flattery, and when lie says: "No troops had fought with greater determination and bravery, and the Empire need never be afraid while it had such men as the New Zealanders," it should stir up the soul of every man of military age in the Dominion to participate in the glorious and imperishable ■ honor resting on the manhood of this , euntry. There should not be a solitary I sorption to the response to the new recruiting scheme. It is difficult to conceive that the personal appeals that are to be made should not in every ease be successful. There is so much at stake that it makes hardships and sacrifice? seem but a small thing when weighed in the balance with German fright fulness. Mr. Fisher lightly said that the dominions did not want praise for what they had done, for they had only performed a duty in assisting the Votherlaud to win the war. What is Australia's message to the enemy? That from every part of the Commonwealth recruits are pouring in. Xew Zealand can send no more efi'ective mesage than that from every part of this dominion recruits are pouring in. Already the Germans are manifesting signs of desperation. Their plots and outrages are but evidence of that madness which precedes doom. The men of New Zealand have it in their power to very materially help ill sealing the fate of these military despots, and we urge them by all they hold sacred to come forward now and join their honored brethren in winning added renown by putting an end to the greatest war of all times.