RALLYING TO THE COLOURS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2355, 11 January 1915, Page 5

RALLYING TO THE COLOURS

RECRUITING AT HOME

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

(Reo. January 10, 8 p.m.)

London, January 9. An Army debate was raised in the House of Lord? on Viscount Middleton (a former Secretary for War) questioning the Government on the condition of recruiting.

Lord Lucas declined, in the public interest, to supply the figures. Lord Haldano said:—"We are fighting for our life under circumstances which, make it the duty of every Englishman, to put all he values into the scale." He had no reason to anticipate a breakdown in the voluntary system. As soon as the enemy is found using a new typo of guii, the Government immediately produces its equivalent. No efforts or resources will be spared to bring the war to a successful conclusion. He belieVed that' voluntary recruitment had met all requirements, yet if compulsory service was _ a national necessity they would adopt it. Lord'Selborne said that thomore the Government took the people into their confidence the more resolute they would be. All' they wanted was 'the whole truth, however unpleasant. He asked the Government to'impress upon tho people tho immenso gravity and enortnous difficulties of the country s task. Lord Mactlonnell stated that 15,000 Irishmen had enlisted during tho past few months in tho-United Kingdom. Lord Ciuv.on complained that tho Homo Office had countermanded a military ordor to remove aliens from tho East Coast. Ho was content to accept 'Lord Haldano's declaration on tho question of compulsory sorvice, but urged the Government to take preliminary measures'in order to prevent chaos if compulsory service were required. The Marquis of Crewe pointed out that any, system of rcoruiting whioh

caused cessation in industry might prove more disastrous to tho success of the British arms than failure to put 60 many men in the field. Recruiting' was proceeding in Ireland to the War's Office's satisfaction. "K'S" SYSTEM AT WORK. MORE PUBLICITY SUGGESTED. London, January 8. The "Times,' 'in a leading article, says:—"Lord Kitchener called armies, as it were, out of the ground; our towns are filled with unwonted' bustle and preparations for active service. . The nation iss deeply grateful to Lord Kitchener; it feels ne is solidly fulfilling tho pledges he gave when he entered the Cabinet. At tho same time it would like to know a little more regarding what is being done." "Tho nation can only rise to tho full height of the emergency when it is told tho dimensions of the problem. Every man is deeply impressed with tho possible need for individual sacrifice, but this will never be attained by vaguo statements that 'the recruiting is going very well,' or by the excuse 'that it is a military matter which we cannot discuss."^ —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. RECRUITINC IN SYDNEY. BIG NEW YEAR RUSH. Sydney, January 9. Tho enrolment of recruits during tho current week was double that of any wcei previous to tha holiday. The military authoritioshave aoceptod tho Jiiflo Association's offer to conduct musketry instruction for the Expeditionary Forces. Tho total of tho various New South Wales war funds is £500,037. • Melbourne, January 0. The Victoria Racing Club has' voted a further sum to the war funds, bringing its total up to £6117.,