CONSCRIPTION ISSUE.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 107, 8 January 1940, Page 5

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE.

MINISTER NON-COMMITTAL

"BEACON" INTERVIEWS HON.

H. G. R. MASON

Questioned on the Governments •present attitude towards conscription in view of the fact that its non introduction was a major plank in 'the Labour Party's electioneering -platform, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Hon. H. G. R. who was in Whakatane on Thursday night and Friday morning, refused to admit the possibility *of the Government re-considering the question. Nor would he say definitely that conscription was not ■contemplated. Instead, he asked: ■"Why, should the public think that the Government will alter its pledOn being told that the public is of that opinion because of the comparatively poor response to the appeals for recruits for the second ■echelon, the Minister said that recruiting would improve when the -young men knew for certain tliac they were to go overseas. "The first echelon," said the Minister, "was recruited for service at home or abroad. The response was •good. More men would have enlisted then if they had known definitely that they were bound for active -service."' Continuing, Hon. 11. G. R.Mason said that New Zealand's training facilities were such that only one •echelon at a time could bo enlisted .-and trained. It was impossible to •call for the second when the first was still occupying the camps. The Hfirst had completed training and it *was now possible to enlist the second. A similar procedure would ibe followed in the future as and when men were required. As far as the figures for the second echelon -were concerned, the appeal for volmnteers had only recently been issued and it was yet early for comment. "It is impossible to foretell the Lfuture," said tlie 'Minister.