COMMONWEALTH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144858, 9 December 1915, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH.

NEW RECRUITING SCHEME. ON LORD DERBY’S PRINCIPLE. . LABOUR OBJECTIONS IGNORED. (Received Dec. 9, 8.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec.*). The recruiting'scheme for the mew fifty-thousand army has been issued. It is the quota system in-conjunction, with local committees. An appealvm Tenting is mado to every able-bodied man who is required, and the reply_ chorda state his intentions and disabilities with regard to enlistment. , Each local comirutteo will judgd tlio > adstpxacy or tliQ answers and, if tlio inimediate enlistment >ar© valid, will retegate the men to a later Hass. If the appeal is neglected or the reply “’.unsatisfactory, a personal appeal will be made. Local committees ano responsible, to the State War Council,- which is.iesponsible to the Federal Council. The New South Wales share orrdho now army, and reinforcements for the old and new unite to June, will be 36,000 men. (Received Dec. 9, 8.40 sun.) t MELBOURNE, Dec. S. In the Assembly, Mr. Pearce stated that the personal inquiries originally instituted with regard to the new recruiting scheme had been considerably modified. The Assembly unanimously passed a motion undertaking .to cooperate with the Federal Government. (Received Deo. 9, 8.40 a.m.) BRISBANE, Deo. 9. Speaking at Bundaborg, Mr. estimated that next year’s war expenditure would be. over fifty millions. A deputation of tho Industrial Council demanded the withdrawal of the mew recruiting scheme, especially the questions. Mr. Hughes, refusing, said that if the unions assisted the Government compulsion would not be necessary. MUDDLE ABOUT PASSPORTS. SYDNEY,. Dec. 8. The Deputy-Collector of Customs, referring to tho delay in granting.passports to returning New Zealanders, says each case must bo dealt with in, a judicial spirit, as owing to the largo number of applicants there must necessarily be soma delay. Where there was no obstacle a permit would bo-granted straight away, and if urgent'circninstances were shown ho would, take it upon, himself to grant a permit-immedi-ately' MELBOURNE,-Dec. 8. Mr. Russell, Acting-Minister for External Affairs, said ho was not aware of any reason for holding up New Zealanders in possession of return tickets or-permits. He asked for a report on the matter. The secretary of the department said the department was a commonsense one, and it was not its business to hamper genuine travellers, provided they complied with the regulations and showed no cause for 'complaint. Tho department was getting into touch with New Zealand, becauso at present they did not knoiv firactly what the Dominion wished to-be'done.