THE RECRUITING EFFORTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2358, 14 January 1915, Page 6

THE RECRUITING EFFORTS

EXCELLENT RESULTS

AMPLE CHANCES FOR MORE MEN

A SMOOTH SYSTEM

Even after all that the Defence authorities ha7e said lately there seems to be misconception in some quarters as to what is really required in the way of recruiting. For one thing there is an impression (held by some public men) that recruiting is not proceeding satisfactorily. This idea is absolutely orroneous, and the fact is that Defence Headquarters reported yesterday, that the recruiting is exceedingly satisfaoThe Dominion has already pointed out how well the call had been answered up to a few weeks back. Since then there is nothing to report but a continuance of this state of affairs. Here is an instance:

About ten days ago it was' decided to call for 925 men.- Telegrams were dispatched, and very shortly it became apparent that the answer would be quite satisfactory. By yesterday all the men required, with the exception of 100, were lin Trentham, and that 100 was then on the way to Wellington. Those in authority absolutely contradict the suggestions that recruiting is ..lagging in New Zealand. They do not, of course, wish to check it in any way, or to give forth the idea that men. need not apply to be accepted for service. Men are requested to apply, but it seems preferable that recruiting should proceed as at present rather than be spasmodically speeded up by demonstrations, and so forth. Camp Limits, ,A Dunedin demonstration a few days ago resulted in a rush of young men to enrol. There is always a danger in t'his kind of enrolment. Men throw up their employment, and say: "I'm going to the front!"_ _ But the position may be that the military authorities cannot accept their services immediately. The result is that the men may be for a while out of work ait a time when everyone should be employed as much as possible. "The proper way is for iJhe men to hand in their names, arid go back to work until they are called upon. It must be recognised that Trentham camp cannot accommodate an unlimited number of men. Its limit is 8500 men, and all arrangements are based on that quantity. It should, therefore, readily be understood, that in order to work the camp in a proper, organised manner, _#he authorities must be able to call in jußt so many men as they have room and equipment for. Even in England the eagerness of men to join the ranks had to be tempered by this restriction. Men whose enthusiasm made them impatient of remaining at work found that they simply had to wait till their clothes were made and everything elso was prepared for them. Apart from other reasons, only a certain number of men can be handled at Trentham. So it is useless beating up more recruits than the authorities ask for. There will be ample opportunity for men desirous of joining trie colours, but no amount of impatienoe will hasten the'chance. "Send in your name, and wait till you are called up," is the only possible-advice. The men are (speaking generally) called up in big' drafts. The camp would be a strange place' if men drifted m by twenties and hundreds at random. The result would be that there would never bo a largo body of men at an even stage of training. Method Must Be Employed. Recruiting must be done methodically and quietly to be successful, and it is a fine testimony to the success of the New Zealand scheme that a little while ago when one whole draft of reinforcements marched out of camp to embark the whole of the nest contingent, and part of the one to follow that, marched in. Men must continue to send in their names, and they need not fear lack of opportunity for the present requirement of the Imperial Government is that tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force shall be maintained constantly at full strength in the field. This requires a draft of-15 per cent, per month of the infantry of the Force, and a draft of. 10 per cent. • per month of mounted rifles, and, drafts ■of other arms in lesser proportion as laid down in the Field Service Regulations. This means a draft at intervals of every two months of about 1800 officers and men throughout the 'continuance of the war. It should be particularly noted that New Zealand must _ keep up a steady flow of men on this no matter how long the war goes on, whether it lasts for months or for years. After the departure of the Third. Reinforcements all drafts will receive four months' training before dispatch from New Zear l&nd.^, T3ie remainder of the men's training before their being sent to fihe front will be completed under arrangements made by the War Office. The Defence Department is now preparing circulars giving full information for intending recruits. Post-cards for the registrations of names will soon be obtainable at all post offices throughout the Dominion. Patriotic committees are invited to assist in the distribution of the circulars and cards to likely recruits. The circulars and cards will be issued as soon as possible.