PERSONAL CANVASS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11670, 10 April 1916, Page 6

PERSONAL CANVASS.

COUNTY COUNCILLORS'ATTITUDE EXTRAORDINARY OPINIONS. At tli- meeting of the Waimairi bounty Council this afternoon, the. question of the personal canvass was brought up bv the chairman. Mr G. A. Staples. He said that he had addressed a meeting at Marshland, and had received the names of sufficient persons to assist in the canvass, and he had asked councillors in other ridings to supply the names of suitable people to invite to a public meeting. Councillors Spencer and Hawke pro- i mised their support. lu reply to a question the chairman said that twelve men were required monthly from the county. Councillor R. W. Hawke: Why? We have done mere than we should have done for a time. This morning there ws'-o the names of three men in the papers from Hare wood Road alone; ami 1 don't see whv wr» should bother people fl-hon. we are doing more than out; share. ' Mr Sranles said that they wore taking the matter too lightly. He would point out that Britain ra m a verv serious position, and they did not know when the Germans might be across tho Channel. Councillor W. Nicholls: What are you talking about? WE'RE GOING TO WIN. Mr Staples: T can assure you T know what I am talking about. Communing. Mr Staples said that the canvass had to be done, and he asked councillors to assist him. Councillor F. Si.sson : It's no good asking mo to help. Don't ask for my reasons; I'm just telling you it's n'o good asking me. Leave it to Mr Allen. Mr Staples: I'll toll you what Mr Allen will do soon; he'll bring in compulsion. Councillor Sisson: He should have done that long ago. This woodenheaded Government in power has not done things as it should. (Cries of "No!") Mr Staples: What on earth good would your orchard be if the Germans came? . j Councillor Sisson: They can have it. Don't ask me to help. Councillor Hawke said that he quite realised the seriousness of the but; be failed to see why they should bother people when they were doing more than their share. Councillor (J. K. Currie said that was not the rigl.it way to look at it. It was a matter of New Zealand helping as a whole. The sooner they got the men to finish the war the better. Mr Staples then produced a card' and explained that the answers had to be Idled in. Councillor W. P. Spencer: Oh, it's a personal canvass is it? Mr Staples: Yes. Councillor Spencer: I'm not taking that on. T know every bouse in the district, and a lot who have gone to the war, and they might say. "Why haven't you goner" It's a job for the Government. Councillor Sisson said thai; the Government should bring in conscription. Councillor Nicholls referred to someemployers refusing to give work to eligible men while their neighbours took them on. The matter then dropped.