ENLIST!

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2781, 27 May 1916, Page 9

ENLIST!

OPEN-AIE KECEUITING MEETING. A large crowd assembled at tlie foot of BoulcDlt Street last evening to lislun to two spirited .recruiting speeches, delivered by Air. H. Ivory and i>ergt.-Major Dent. Tho speakers received throughout an attentivo Jiearing. • Mr. Ivory explained at tlio outset that it was not liis fault that ho was not in khaki. Ho had rendered tlio Empire military service many years ago. Ho was, he stated, tlio proud possessor of n war medal before he was 21 years old. Tho speaker spiritedly appealed to those about him of military ago to join tlio ranks and help frustrate the ruthless foe. It had been his lot when a soldier to be a' witness of tlio devastation of war, and ho impressed upon his hearers the dire necessity of their assistance in citccking and smashing for ever tho scourge of Prussian militarism. "Join as a volunteer," he said, "not as a conscript.", Sergt.-Major Bent said that tho voluntary system had been given a "good go," and if men realised their duty there would bo no' need for conscription. J-[o was not in favour of conscription. "If any man. wants conscription," said-tlio speaker, "let liim hustle up to -flio recruiting office and conscript, himself." Our fight was for freedom and Christianity, and it would not, be won by men staying at home in the belief that tho Empire was "doing all right." The war, was not won yet, and ho could not seo it being won unless everyone that was eligible threw in his lot. Tho , mathematicians have if, he said, that only one out of every nine men fighting gets killed. "The odds are nine to one, and if you are sports you'll take tho chance," ■ concluded the speaker.