VERY SATISFACTORY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2638, 8 December 1915, Page 6

VERY SATISFACTORY

PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENT. "I consider that the results of the War Census are exceedingly satisfactory, and are creditable to the men of New Zealand," said the Prime Minister yesterday. "I .had confidence that -when the position was put to them that thoy would do th right thing, and I am satisfied now that'they will come forward when they are wanted. And, so far'as lam able to judge, a very large proportion of those who are willing will be required. "In regard to those who are not prepared to serve in any Expeditionary Forces or in a. civil,capacity, it lias to be remembered that a number of men have families and aro perhaps in a small way in business; or they may bo men with families occupying small farms. In each of these cases to leavo tho farm or business under existing conditions would probably mean financial ruin for them and their dependents. I have not seen the cards yet, of course, bub I think when we get to know the actual position it will bo fouixl that what I have said applies to quite a large proportion. It has to be remembered that on the registration cards there is, very littlo room for explanations of this sort." Mr. Massey pointed out that the is'suc of the statement did not imply that the work of tho War Census'was finished. Important returns relating to men over 45 years of ago had yet to come in. There were still 7000 schedules held up for inquiry, .and no' doubt some of this number would yet be added to the total of 109,000. "Do you attach any importance to tho figures?" the Prime Minister was asked. "I attach a very great deal of importance to them. I think this expression of willingness from theso 100,000 men is tho biggest thing New Zealand has yet doiv'^

What will be the next step? "There will be no nest step -anti] the total returns come in," said Mr. Massey. "But there will be a next step. I may say also that no unfair advantage will be taken of the men who have expressed their willingness to serve." Will you adopt Lord Derby's scheme of personal canvass? "This is better than Lord Derby's scheme," said Mr. Massey. "In England the question of whether a man was willing to servo was not asked. New Zealand is the only part of the British Empire in which this question has been put to the male citizens."