The Dominion TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1915. KITCHENER'S APPEAL FOR MORE MEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2512, 13 July 1915, Page 4

The Dominion TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1915. KITCHENER'S APPEAL FOR MORE MEN

We ha,ve received, a letter from Mr. S. A. Atkinson, drawing attention to Lord Kitchener's latest appeal to the Empire, in which he declares that "the vital need is more and' Still more men." Mr.'Atkinson goes on to say that "the census shows that we can sparo an extra 50,000 untrained men to-day, and yet pay our way and support the Army in the field." The British Minister of War. now declares that he is in a position to make an unrestricted call for men. ,We in New Zealand cannot turn a deaf ear to such an urgent request coming from such an authoritative quarter. Wo will have to reconsider our plans and revise our ideas regarding the number of. men we ought to send to the front. Tho question of training and equipment is, no doubt, a difficult one, but the difficulties are not .insuperable. .. The present may not be an ideal moment for starting a special recruiting campaign, in view of tho disorganisation • caused by the mysterious outbreak of sickness among the soldiers in camp'. But this is a temporary trouble, _ and there is every reason to believe that it will soon be overcome. The worst seems to be s over. Everything will probably be in thorough working order again in the near future, and Lord lutohener's appeal for more men without restriction, as to' numbers must receive the earnest and'sympathetic attention of the Government. Tho War Minister calls upon the Empire ■to "heed the opportunity now or never," and tho time has come for the people 'of New Zealand to brace themselves up for still greater efforts: Mr. Atkinson suggests that we should follow the example of Britain, and appoint a military • man to. the position of Minister of War "in the National Government," and ho suggests that Major-General R. R. Davies should he offered this office, as "it is well known that he possesses the necessary qualifications." There is room .for ■much difference of opinion as to the necessity for such a step. Our Government occupies a position as regards the conduct of the war very different from that of tho British Cabinet. . Major-General Davies'is really'too big a man in the military sense for the task that lies ahead of us,cand it is extremely doubtful whether'tho Homo authorities could spare him. The most that wo can hope to do will be, after all,, a small thing in the surii total of the Empire's efforts, and the 'officer mentioned probably has bigger tasks in hand where he is now. But Mr. Atkinson's suggestion respecting further recruiting efforts should command general endorsement. More and still more men are wanted, and the sooner they are ready to take their places in the battle line the greater the service they will render the Empire.