RECRUITING AT ZERO.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15343, 4 October 1917, Page 4

RECRUITING AT ZERO.

SITUATION IN AUSTRALIA. REFERENDUM EXPECTED. SYDNEY, September 17. Recruiting has known many up* and downs in Australia, but it seems to be nearer zero now than at any; other time since the war started.' All the attention of the Australians is concentrated on the industrial troubles within their own borders, and they have little beyond occa-» sional thoughts for the events on the European battlefields. ' There are said to be between; 100,000 and 200,000 fit and eligible; men in Australia who absolutely de-« cline military service. Having seen the strike processions in Sydney, and the volunteer workers, one can quite believe it. The long columns of strikers, who march along howling; revolutionary songs or mouthing in-» suits at all men and things that do not meet with their approval, are mostly lusty young men who do not ' seem to carry the responsibilities of a family. The volunteer workers, contain much the same proportion of young men. But their bearing is so different from the arrogant hooliJ ganism of the strikers that they; mostly escape criticism. The chairman of the New SoutK Wales Recruiting Committee, Professor Macintyre, in expressing a very gloomy view of the position of recruiting, said it was manifestly impossible that we could take a lively interest in the prosecution of the war while we were fighting within our own borders. He was conscious of a distinct cooling of enthuusiasm in many directions, and at times it seemed as if the thermometer went down to zero. People almost resent being reminded that we were fighting for the freedom of the world and the future of Australia on the soil of France, and that Australian soldiers -were tliere, needing every man. we could send them. However, the more slackening of interest, tha more need to counteract it with increased enthusiasm. The work of securing reinforcements for our men at the front could never ceas*e till the war ceased. He trusted that the mind of the community would' again grasp the real issue. The new Federal Government is proconscription, but it is pledged not-to lining in conscription unless authorised by a referendum. The Government, has feared to bring in conscription, even rnder the authority of a referendum, because of the hostility of Labour, completely organised, very" powerful, and pledged to resist conscription. But now conditions have greatly changed. The great Labour organisation, which had its centre in Now South Wales, ha*-; chosen to dissipate, its strength v in a stupid fight with the New South:"W.ales Government, in which it has been so soundly beaten and discredited that it has lost its influence and its power. And that is why the Federal Ministers have recently given a very definite impression that there will be another referendum bifore this year is out". A new scheme has been initiated, in Brisbane by the Queensland State .Recruiting Committee in an endeavour to secure recruits. A returned Anzac bugler sounded the call to arms outside the premises of one of the banks. It was advertised in the morning- that the recruiting committee asked for one recruit from the bank. A few minutes after the call sounded one of the employees walked out to the recruiting sergeant and volunteered for active service.. If the demands are not met at any institution visited the premises will be again visited a week later by a patrol of Boy. Scout . kettle-drummers, .who will play the tattoo incessantly in relays. All institutions and business places in the city, both Government and private, will be systematically canvassed.