CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11572, 16 December 1915, Page 7

CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS.

SHORTAGE IN ENLISTMENTS LOCAL " RECEIVING " CAMP ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. UNIVERSAL DEMAND FOR ITS ESTABLISHMENT' (By "MARK TIME.") Following is tho official list of the Citizens' Defence Corps:— HEADQUARTERS AND RECRUITING' BUREAU. 94, Hereford Street, opposite New Zealand Tourist Office. THE STAFF. President, Mr Georgo Harper. Commandant, J. J. Dougall. Adjutant-, S. Eardey. Regimental Sergeant-Major, W. V. Mauchlin. Regimental secretary, J. M. Turnbull; Regimental treasurer, R. H. Mitchell. Executive—Messrs Goorge Harper (president), J. J. Dougall (Commandant), H. Holla ud (Mayor), G. T. Booth, AV. Johnson, J. D. Mil]ton, A. C. Maxwell, J. M'Loan, Cyrus "Williams, N. Woods, R, H. Mitchell (honorary treasurer) and J. M. Turnbull (honorory secretary). Meet every Tuesday, G p.m. THE UNITS. No. 1, Sydenham—Officer commanding, T. J. Noonan. No. 2, Cashmere—O.C., George Booth. No. ;j, Wools tou-0 pawa—o. C. H. S. Newman. No. 4, Feudal ton —0.C., G. H. Helmore. No. 5, Sumnor-Redcliffs—O.C., A. C. Wilecn. No. 6, Richmond-Avon sid® —0.C., li. S. Ward. No. 7, Lin wood—O.C., A. C. Maxwell; platoon commanders, "W. P. Bridgman and F. A. Lightfoot. No. 8, St Albans-Papanui—O.C., C. B. Morris; platoon commanders, T Gibson ana E. R, Webb. No. 9, City—O.C., H. S. Williams; platoon commanders, No.'], A. Goodhart, No. 2, W E. D. Bishop; Company Sergeant-Major, R. B. Lucas; Quartermaster-Sergeant, E. J. Bell. No. 10, Addington-Spreydon—O.C., S. H. Thomas. No. 11, Riccarton—O.C., Adam Smith; j.lafoon commander, Hunter. No. 12, Footballers' Unit.—O.C., E. T. Evans. Engineers—O.C., Major A. W. Jones. Units with similar organisations, but not aotuallv attached —'Lyttelton ; Kaiapoi (0.C., E. E. Pappnli); As-hburton. C.D.C. Band—Conductor, Lieutenant, M. J. Mcrton; honorary secretary, S. N ; Robinson. Citizens' Defence Corps Recruiting Bureau —Officers in charge, J. M. Turnbull and J. D. Milton, assisted by members. Secretaries of units will oblige by forwarding information regarding any changes that may occur and also any items of interest in connection with tho doinga of thou* respective units.

T'l 10 shortage in the enlistments for the 11th Reinforcements has been brought home in a very forcible manner to tho authorities who havo charge of theso affairs. Tho Defence Minister has been called upon repeatedly to adopt a course that has been jmcent to all patriots and enthusiasts I'or the last six months, and that is tho establishment of temporary camps in the various centres for the purpose or retaining the services of those who havo enlisted. A deaf ear has invariably been turned to any proposal to carry out this object, and the result has been—vvlnit? A shortago of men; men who could havo been held but have strayed' to other pastures, and are now quito comfortable in their present quarters. A short-sighted policy, certainly, on the part of those responsible for seeing that the Dominion's obligation to the Imperial authorities should be complied with. "Wo want men. and yet moro men," has been the Empire's call. Wo havo the men, and when we get them wo should call on them at onco to commence their duty, and the one and only way to accomplish this is tho establishment of "receiving" camps—as an authority chooses to <?all them—whoro men on enlisting could take the oath of allegiance Tight, away, and from that time receive their pay as soldiers of the King. A good lot of nonsense is being talked about this camp idea. Tho money-grubber puts up his hands in pious horror and exclaims, " Look at the expense!" To Hackney with tho question of expense! To accommodate a couple or three hundred men for a few weeks would not break the Dominion, and would without, a doubt bo the means of maintaining its integrity and' prosperity in the futre.

In connection with the local camp question, it may interest my patriotic lellow-eountrymen to know that the idea was iirst initiated by the G'.D.C. I remember well an occasion, some eight mouths ago, when Mr "\V. W. Charters a prominent and enthusiastic member of the C.D.C., discussed the matter with me. He saw further than. a. good many men at that time, and camo to the conclusion that after all tho " real live boys" had gone with the earlier reinforcements there would bo troublo then in holding later comers together. Me struck the idea of a local camp, and' at that time did not meet with too hearty a response. But the idea got hold of the hulk of the members of the C.D.C-., and they have been fighting hard ever since in tho hope that tho prejudices oF tho adamant authorities will be overcome. Tlve feeling of tho whole .Dominion is in favour of the .scheme, and, as the people aro willing to do their share in the way of a little extra expense, why in the name of all that is reasonable should there, bo anv demur?

Touching very closely the establish™ent of u camp somewhere adjacent to Chvistchurch is the cry from tho authorities that it would bo a failuro, as no drill instructors would bo available. That idea can bo swept away with one brush of the hand. As a matter of fact, we have a host of civilian soli diors. oflicers ami non-coms., who are attached to the O.D.C. and Territorials, who are quite competent to undertake the work of instructing the recruit in all the, drill that is necessary for him to know before ho joins tho force at the main camp. These officers, in relays, could be relied upon to givo the rune necessary for all the preliminary instruction that is required. Many of the officers of the C.D.C.. if not the whole, of them, are quite capable of taking in hand any recruits who join and are sent into a temporary camp, and I am sure the work would bo a pleasure to them. So away with the idea that there are no instructors available.

After studying the National Register and nottng the. number of men over tho present ago set down for recruits for active service, is it not a wonder that the different units of the Citizens' Defence Corps have, such difficulty in keeping the numbers up to the" required strength!*' Surely, one would think that u fair majority of these men would look upon it as a, sacred duty to do what they could to assist an organisation that ha.s tor its main objective homo defence. Too lazy, too indolent, too apathetic; to concern themselves regarding the future when our country will for lho time being be depleted of able and active men upon whom we could rely to carry out tho work which has been voluntarily undertaken by tho C.D.C. As has been stated in this column, " many a. time and oft." recruits to the ranks would bo warmly welcomed, and as there are no vexatious red-tape inquiries necessary, tho road to enrolment is easy and expeditious, if a, mau has tho will and a sense of duty.

A committee of tho Women's Reserve in connection with tho C.D.C. is arranging a Christmas tree, for the wives and children of all our soldiers who have enlisted and have taken or are taking their share of active service at the front. The gathering of those interested will bo held afc 2 p.m. on Thursday. December 23. in the Christ's College grounds and gymnasium, which have boon ktndlv lent for

the occasion, and a full muster of those entitled to attend is earnestly wished for. Any of tho public who would liko to bo present on tho occasion will be admitted on payment of a small entrance feo, and they will bo able to obtain afternoon to aon the grounds at a nioderato charge. The wives and children of the soldiers are promised a very pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. Those who are wanting particulars should make inquiries at tho C.D.C. rooms, where contributions towards the Christmas tree will be gratefully acknowledged.

One is pleased to hear of the revival of interest that is taking place in some of the units of the C.D.C. For instance, at last Sunday's parade of tho Sumner-lledcliffs Unit at the Red cliffy rifle rango there was an attendance of over sixty members. That is a really creditable report from one of our important outposts. The men were all in fme form, and a capital morning's work was the result. After a short course of squad drill by the section commanders, the officer commanding (Captain A. C. Wilson) put the men through platoon drill, and followed by the, drill sergeant, who gave the unit similar work for the rest of tho time. The conditions of the, Tait Cup were announced and arrangements made to attend the parade in the city to farewell tho departing troops. Lieutenant Barnes, wb.o was present by invitation, promised to give a lecture early next year. The last parade of the year will be held next Sunday at Sumner at S a.m.

Tlie colours to he worn by members of the C.D.C. in connection 'with the Queen Carnival will be .red and white. Don't forget it, boys, .when giving your help to the " Queen of the Soldiers." Her name will be announced in a day or two, and then—get in work quick and lively. V *-

The question of supplying a distinguishing badge to those patriotic young fellows who have enlisted' but " have failed to pass the medical examination has been tor some time under consideration by members of the C.D.C. Some such indication of a man's willingness to join the colours as a fighter should be granted him. and that would "put the pot;'' on the shirking fraternity, who have been in the liabit of replying to tlie query as ~o why they did not enlist that they br.o been " turned down"'' by the doctor?. Now this is very rough on those who have honestly and conscientiously dene their d'uty but have been rev">'.'ie.J for some physical disability. These are the men who should bo given some distinctive mark, and any fellow- who wore it "without possessing the certificate of unfitness should be gaoled. That would put an end to anything in the way of shirking by false pretence. Hoivrvor, it is <o he hoped that badge « ea will be carried into eftVvt immediately. Then we .shall know " who's ttjio!"