A HINT FOR RECRUITING AGENTS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2788, 5 June 1916, Page 8

A HINT FOR RECRUITING AGENTS.

'Sir,—l called at the Town Hall last week and enlisted for one of the Reinforcement drafts. The officers in charge were most courteous and considerate, but it occurred to me as a business man, used to handling men, that without using any undue influence, but by merely making a tactful suggestion at the right moment, many recruits who are going into camp three and four months ahead would just as readily form the next batch, in some cases the applicant has business and private engagements ivhich' prevent, him starting at once, and his decision to. book ahead should bo, and is, respected; but it is quite certain that many recruits enter the office with an open mind as to when they shall comme.nce training, and this is when a word in season .would bear fruit. The question should be, "We need men to make up tho quota for the next ■draft going into camp next month; I snpposo you could be ready by then?" Instead of which, tho question is,' "Which batch would you like to join—the 'eighteenth) . nineteenth, or twentieth?" I watched closely, and in more than one case' the recruit looked surprised lor a second, and then said, "Oh, I don't know; 1 about the' twentieth would do." This totter is not 'meant as a criticism of the officers in charge, who are, as previously stated, most courteous, and get through their work in a businesslike manner. tut when a recruit arrives who has not made up his miud it should be an easy and proper tiling to make it up for him. In conclusion, let me register a word of appreciation regarding tho medical examining officer. He is par excellence at his work.—l am, etc, SIGNED ON.