THE CALL FOR MEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2543, 18 August 1915, Page 6

THE CALL FOR MEN

WILL THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM SUFFICE? CONSCRIPTION POSSIBLE In Australia tie necessity or oth&P* wise of conscription is being freely discussed. In . a great many quarters universal service (within specified limits so as not to interfere with necessary, industries) is strongly favoured. New. Zealand lias not yet given the question of compulsion serious thought— at least it has not received much public attention. * A Dominion representative who made inquiries yesterday in military circles gathered the impression tliat with the increasing demand for men more unlikely, things than conscription are possible. Everything, however, depends on how long the war lasts. For the present the voluntary system meets all requirements, but—who can. tell what tie future holds. New Zealand is committed to the Imperial authorities (by promise) to maintain the forces offered at their full strength. At present the strength is being maintained by reinforcements raised on the voluntary system. Our stock of voluntary soldiers has been drawn on for a year now, and from today onward the draw will bo _ heavierthan ever before. If at any time difficulty in raising tlio members required to fill tlie reinforcements. is expected,, it is ' probable that steps will be taken to stimulate the voluntary enlistments, If the system in its stimulated condition fails to satisfy tie military authorities, conscription will follow with.* out delay. One of the first-measures for the increasing of the number of recruits .(if an increase becomes necessary) will ha the lowering of tlie minimum age from twenty years to eighteen years. The next step will be the lowering of tha height standard from sft. 4in. to sft. 2in. With or without' conscription, it seems quite possible for New Zealand to get through a three years' war without having to call on married men. New Zealand has cajled up already, rougTily, 30,000 men. Allowing for rejections and those now on the books, this indicates that 45,000 (at the outside) have enlisted. New Zealand has 128,000 single men of military age. Allowing the great margin of 38,000 for rejections, 90,000 fit men remain. Of ithat 90,000, 30,000 men have, been taken, and 60,000 are still hers,, and' have not offered their services. According to figures published recently, we will need another 47,000 men if tha war goes on for three years. We have at least 60,000 young, fit, single men to draw those forces from.