TO ENCOURAGE RECRUITING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 6

TO ENCOURAGE RECRUITING

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION CIRCULAR. Tlio following circular has been issued by tho New Zealand Employers' Federation with reference to the encouragement of recruiting"ln response to the appeal by the Minister of Defence to employers of labour, the Advisory Board urges all members of affiliated bodies to "render all assistance possiblo to expedite recruiting. It is suggested that all men between twenty and fortyfive years of ago who are free to do so should bo given every facility to enlist and encouraged to do so by being mformed: "(a) That special treatment will he accorded those who go to tho war when they return. "(b) That those who should go and remain behind will not ho allowed to secure the same advantages as those who enlist. "(c) That wherover possible part wages shall bo paid during tho period of active service. "In view of the fact that 2500 men will bo required each month for at least •a rear, it is ovident that all sections of the community will require to assist, and it is felt that this Federation should do everything possible to assist Government in fulfilling its obligations. "A. copy of a circular recently issued by the Wellington Gas Company to its employeoa i« enclosed as an indication to o.tliei; .emptors..what ny&ht( he done

whore oppartunity is afforded of doing so."

Tho Gas Company's circular is as under:—

Wellington, N.Z., Oct. 5, 1915.

Dear sir,—The Board of DfVcctors lias had under its consideration an appeal by tho Hon. tho Minister of Defence to employers of labour to grant every facility to unmarried men in their employment to volunteer for active service in. the present critical condition of the Empire.

I havo been instructed to point out to you and others tliat the board is of opinion that the able-bodied and unmarried malo employees of tlio company, who are not debarred by physical or family reasons from volunteering, should register themselves as willing to servo t-lie nation in sonio capacity or another.

To assist the employees to undertake this duty, tlio board reiterates its decision to pay half-wages to every employeo of the company who is accepted for active military service, such payment to be made for tho first period of six months whilst tlio employee is on active service, and thereafter during the pleasure of tho board. Such payment will be mado either during the absence of the employee to his nominee (to be approved by the management), or it call be left to accruc until tlio employee's return. The board further undertakes that, in the event of the employeo returning at the end of his active service in a. fit condition .for his duties in the company, the company will reinstate him cither in tlio position he previously' held or will find for Mm employment of sonio suitable character.—(Signed) William Ferguson, managing director. LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN EFFORT TO ASSIST RECRUITING. Br Telejriwh.—Press Ajspoctatlon. Auckland, October 15. A conference of the leaders of tho squadrons and troops of the Legion of Frontiersmen throughout tho North Island was held here, and it was decided not to press tho request tliat a separate unit bo formed, but to continue to draft to the forces all the eligible men, and to suggest that tho men might ho permitted to bo together, as many men were from one county. It was decided to ask that the men go into camp immediately on enlisting, and if necessary tho Legion will establish training camps under area officers, the pay of the men to start on going into cainp. The Legion is prepared to receive in tho camps recruits other than members of tho Legion, and also offers to conduct efficiency tests under war conditions when requested by the Department.

THE SHIRKER WHO STAYS AT HOME AND MARRIES. GIRLS TVHO TAKE SECOND-RATE ■ MEN. (To the Editor.) Sir,—While tens of thousands of our best and bravest • young men are going to light for our liberty, for our very national existence, to save our women and girls from the fate of the Bolgians, to now and . forever prove that right, not might, shall he the stronger—l say, while this is lioing dono wo have the spectaclo of some of the second-rato young men hanging about our towns and country places paying attention to the girls, talking of getting married shortly, and so on. I say that ' these young men are second-raters, otherwise they would not let their mates go and fight and dio for them while they mash the girls in safety at homo. Now, I suggest that the girls have the remedy in their own hands —let them say to these second-rate young men: "Go and provo your worth at tho front as your mates have done. Show that you are a firstrater, and we will 'ove and respect you." If this has no_ effect, then each and every nice girl in this Dominion should mako up Jiar mind to wait till the war-worn heroes return—men who have proved tliemselvos to be men in the truest seuse of tho word. Whatever happens) my advico to tho young ladies is, don't throw yourself away on a young man who is not game to fight for you.

At this present time, when men aro 50 urgently wanted, _ the'girls can help their country by giving the young men a gentle hint, as above-mentioned. It is a well-known fact that while some families havo sent all their boys to the front other largo families liave not sent one, but aro content to leave the other man to do the fighting. If our girls will turn a deaf ear to theso seooncf-rate young men, perhaps the desired effect will be obtained, and tho young men will forthwith. qualify for (irst-raters. —I am, etc., WATCHFUL.

PICTURE THEATRES AND RECRUITING. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I take the liberty of suggesting for the consideration of the Government tho making use of picture theatres as a moans of advertising tho needs of this country during the period of tho war. Short statements of tho moßt' pressing. necessities of the moment, such as: for more recruits, economy in living, assistance in connection with our industries, harvesting etc., condensed patriotic speeches by our most prominent statesmen and naval and military men in various parts of the Umpire, short statement's in connection with tils war, and any other subjects which might help to arouse tho interest and enthusiasm of the people. Theso could be shown on t'he screen for two or three minutes between the changes of tho pictures, and would be read by numbers of persons who probably tako but a passing glance at news of that description published in tho papers.—l am, etc., M.J.K.