RECRUITING IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 225, 11 June 1918, Page 4

RECRUITING IN AUSTRALIA

A MARKED REVIVAL Discussing his recent visit to Australia, Mr. W. J. Holdswcrth, of Auckland, states that a wonderful revival in recruiting had taken place in the .Commonwealth. "It appears," ho said" to a "Herald" reporter, "that for some time public interest in-military matters had been at a very low ebb. Drafts of returning soldiers were coldly received by the public, and it seemed as if tho pcoplo wcro indifferent towards the var. This has changed. Receptions to soldiers were arranged on a grand scale, processions wcro held, one- being composed of the wives, mothers, and sisters of tho men at tho front. Tho effect was soon seen in (he number of recruits. Cnptnin Carmichael, who appealed for 1000 men, obtained 2000, Had another returning officer. Captain Can', achieved similar results.-' Mr. Roldsworth said that the split which had occurred in the ranks of Labour had been beneficial to recnuting,.tho loyalists, who composed ono section, being strongly in favour of prosecuting tho war. Tho present rate of recruiting was better than at any time since the first rush in the early days of the war. During the last few weeks over 100 men had been secured daily in Sydney alone. "Notwithstanding the coawrip.ion vote, said Mr. Hoklsworth, "the heart ot tho thinking, responsible people is sound. These people feel deeply tho slur which is now cast upon Australia. They point to the fact that 310,000 men have left Australia, and they are now showing very plainly how absolutely loyal they are? One instance of this wis t-ho enisling in a body of all the medical students at the Sydney University. Most of the* recruits tfere second and third year ySuths. The loyalists regret- cseeriingfr that the referendum was ever taken, but, seeing that it has been put, and a JNo vote recorded, they are striving harder than ever to assist the Empire.