THAT 34,000

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2642, 13 December 1915, Page 6

THAT 34,000

HINTS FOR DEFENCE MINISTER

CORRESPONDENTS' OPINIONS

(To the Editor.)

*HOW TO CET MEN.

Sir, —On page six of to-day's Dominion, in an article headed "The Unmarried. Men," the Hon. Minister of Defence asks for a proposal- which will effectively deal with the "shirker" as well as the volunteer. I put the following proposal forward for his consideration

1. All men of military age and who come under the following categories should have their names registered in ono large register, each being given a registration number from ono onwards, irrespective of his place of residence—/

(a) Single men and widowers without dependents. (b)- Single men, widowers, and married men- with dependents, for whom adequate provision could be made either out of the allotment of pay each man could make from his pay as a soldier, or for whom- each man could make provision out of .his .business, farm, or private fortune, etc. 2. The whole number should then be classified by military districts (i.e., Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago), and, according to their numbers in eacn district, the districts be allotted their quota for each reinforcements draft.

3. Each military, district- should befurnished with a nominal roll of all these men in its district, together with a small card-bearing each union's number..- In addition, a large cask (for use as a ballot-box) set on a frame to .allow of its being revolved, should bo supplied for the district use. 4. The procedure would then be. as follows:— The total requirements for a. reinforcements' draft having been settled, each district would be given'its quota,' based on the proportion of men noted in paragraph one above. The Distriot Headquarters would announce a, ballot day, and the required number of men for Infantry and Mounted Rifles only, would then be drawn by means of tho numbered cards taken from the cask. ' This drawing would be done in public. The full name, occupation,' and address of each man so drawn would be handed to the Press, and, m addition, the Department would communicate with each man and endeavour to induce him to register, be medically examined, and proceed to camp on due ' In addition to the numberis drawn for Mounted Rifles and Infantry, 33 l-3rd per cent, should be drawn, to fill up the places of those medically unfit, and those specially qualified to serve m other than the Mounted and Infantry branches. These 33 l-3rd extra would he called up in the order in which drawn, and after all vacancies were filled • the. balance in hand would form tho nucleus of the next draft. As apparently sufficient men are coming forward for Artillery, A.5.0., Engineers, Signal Service, Ambulance, etc., and as specialists are required for these branches the number required should easily be obtained by ordinary-recruit-ing methods. " . : This scheme js not exactly a conscriptionist one, but .it is very nearly so; By its adoption the Government lays the burden on the shoulders of the public by compelling the men to register and go to camp—one which, I think, would prove highly effective. There is no doubt the Press would .promptly establish a - "Black List 11 for those who, being medically fit, still, refused to do their duty, and the very existence of that "Black List" would have a compelling effect. _ This scheme is eminently just, and, looked at in the .proper light, truly British. So far, you taxed rich and poor alike to support tho country, but you have only taxed the willing to defend it I Is that what you call British I justice—l am, etc., DEE SEE. December 10.

THE THIRTY-FOUR THOUSAND. Sir,—l notice in your issue of December 10 the Hon. Mr. Allen's answer to the question as to what will be done with the "Royal Fallbacks"—shirkers, if you will. Ho being at a loss to know ask 6, it seems, advice. Well, sir, if I may be permitted, I give my view. Send to the leading papers a list of these men and let them be published. Objection may be taken re publishing the names, but as the names of all men'aro published who enlist, surely the one is as fair as the other, and as this is a war to the death, we are fighting for our lives and the salvation of our nation, dont be mealy-mouthed about the matter. It must be fought to a finish. A Mr. Robin son in Masterton seems to be on

the move as a recruiter, and at the end of his speech said we want a little sunshine —Henry Ford. Whatever ho ' meant by that one cannot make out, but I am afraid Ford's sunshine Trill turn out moonshine.—l am, etc., HENRY WALTON. Waikanao, December 11, 1015. [Our correspondent overlooks the fact tliat the information as to individuals jn the National Register is confidential and cannot be made public.] IS IT POSSIBLE? Sir, —Is it possible that 34,000 odd single men without dependents in Now Zealand refuse to lift a hand to save the Umpire? Do theso men come of British blood ? The old British boast Britons never will be slaves means nothing to thom; they would much rather bo slaves to the Huns than lift a hand to save the dear old flag. Sucli being the case, the results of the National Register is nothing to rejoics over, but should, on tho other hand, b« something to be very much ashamed of* If anyone had said before results Tvero published that there were 34,000 renegades in New Zealand, who -would have believed it? We could put up with 2000 or 3000, but not more. The whole country is calling for national service. This war is not a war of armies, but a war of nations, and not only those who are patriotic and show their sense of duty by expressing their willingness to fight, but ,those 34,000 also should be made to take their stand and do their hit for the country that gives them shelter. The Government will be inflicting a great wrong if they;allow these shirkers to escape from their obligations.—l am, etc., J. R. MAOLENNAN..