METHODS OF RECRUITING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2362, 19 January 1915, Page 5

METHODS OF RECRUITING

a ALLEGATIONS DENIED THE QUESTION OF TRANSIT EXPENSES REFUNDS ALLOWED At times tliero are published, statements -which aro likely to a detrimental, effect on recruiting. The other day an allegation was circulated to' the effect that men ivho have to travel a distance,in order to present thomselvos for medical examination when applying for enrolment were at a disadvantage through having to pay their own personal expenses and transport charges. It was added that this method of recruiting entailed great hardship on tho mon. A Dominion representative was informed at Defence Headquarters yesterday that the allegations referred to were not at all fair op accurate statements of tho position. From what the authorities say, it appears that every consideration is givon the reoruits, and all reasonable facilities are offered them. In defining tho real position the officer who mado tho statement said: "The course taken by tho Department depends on circumstances. If it is cheaper to send a doctor 1 to a centre to examine men, a doctor is sent; but if it is oheapor for tho men to come to the dootor, we bring them in. "I will give you an instance, and it is only one instance among othe?s. At Wairoa, -in Hawke's Bay, there were fourteen men to be. examined. A bus was provided in whioh to take them to the doctor, and their hotel hill was paid while they were there. The same principle applies everywhere else. "Provision has always beon made for the men from outlying places to be examined first, so that they have the best possible chance of getting back to their hoines.on the same night. If a man makes it known that he has a long way to go, be will be taken first. If he makes tho fact that he has a distance to return known to any group officer, I am quite sure he will be given preference." Continuing to speak on the question of expenses, the officer said that' no man who had ever asked 1 for expenses had been refused unless the request was absurd. . Coach or rail fare is refunded, and the pay of the men.commences from the time they set out for camp. Generally speaking, men who ride in from a few miles distant to be examined get no allowance. "Take tho man who has his own horse—we are not going to pay him for tho hire of it." That is the view taken by the authorities on that aspect. , It is pointed out that men should first apply for permission to come in and bt> examined. When they get that permission they can go ahead without roar of wasting their time on futile journeys. Sometimes there may be instances in which men should have money lofunded them, but tho Department .may not he aware of the fact, and 60 can do nothing unless the men mention the matter. Some men are Inclined to "grin and bear" their little expense, and merely speak of it to friends, who pass it on as a complaint. Then there are men who come to ■Wellington a couple of weeks before they have been sent for by tho Department, and who cannot he taken into camp at Trentham immediately. If these men spend what money they came to the city with, they may look to the Department for expenses over and above the. railway fare. This cannot he allowed. The course which should bo pursued is stated thus: "These men ought to make a special note of their i case when they are being medically examined, and ask what their position is—not wait a fortnight till they are in difficulties, and then condemn the Department for not making adequate provision." Where euch large bodies of men are concerned some complaints are expected, but, all things considered, • the ' grievances are very few, and everything is working well.