RECRUITING PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2600, 23 October 1915, Page 6

RECRUITING PROBLEM

WAITING FOR THE REGISTER

"DULNESS" IN THE SOUTH

MINISTER'S IMPRESSIONS

Some interesting observations on the recruiting problem as it now presents itself were made by tho Defence Minister last night. "Wo aro ill a- peculiar 6tage just now," said Mr. Allen. "Until wo get tho registration under the now Act it is very difficult for us to ascertain what really is the position in tho various military districts as regards tho numbers of recruits they ought to supply. I have examined very carefully the census of 1911, and I have found that .according to that census Auckland district had the largest number of men between the ages of 20 and 40 years. I don't know about the numbers between 20 and 45, because I didn't take out those figures. Noxt to Auckland came Wellington, and then Canterbury, and then Otago. Judging by that census it looks as if Auckland ought to be finding tho largest number of recruits. But it is very difficult to come to any dqiihito conclusion until we get this registration through, because I fancy that the younger men have moved a good deal during tho last few years. For those reasons we are very anxious to seo the results of the register. When we get these results we shall know y/jiero recruiting is slack, and' we shall be able to concentrate our efforts ill those districts wliero -some stimulus is required. ■ ' "In the south it seemed to me that there is a sort of dulness in recruiting, especially in- Canterbury. What the cause of this is it is very hard to explain. I am trying to find out what really is the reason. They have been making statements in Christclntrcli that local camps would supply the necessary stimulus to recruiting. Possibly they would, but I-am pretty sure the lack of a local camp is not tho real reason for the present slackness. In Otago tliero is a very much better .spirit than in Canterbury. I don't wish to blame the Canterbury people. lam sure they will do their duty like people in tho rest of the country. Probably the' urgency has not come home to them yet as it has to others.

"We are landing some returned troops in Port Chalmers, and some will come up to Canterbury, end I think this will stimulate recruiting in these districts. I hope to bo able soon to bring a detachment of returned men by transport to Lyttelton, but tho obstacle to this is that under tho new arrangement we can't afford to waste a day. The 6hips must begin at once to prepare for tho return trip. I am going to mention this matter to the Citizens' Defence Committee in Christchurch when I go back, and I em also going to ascertain a little more from them if I can about their difficulty. They aro very keen on- the recruiting work, and they are doing good work, and I want to iie]p them all I can. If l ean only discover tho cause of tho I shall try to cure it as far as it is possible for us to do so."