THE TWENTY-FIRST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 9

THE TWENTY-FIRST.

SERIOUS SHORTAGE. APPEAL BY RECRUITING BOARD. The following message was received on Saturday afternoon from the chairman of the Recruiting Board:— Twiah on behalf of tho Recruiting Board to draw attention to tho very serious shortage which has been revealed by tho mobilisation of the Twentyfirst Reinforcements. This shortage has been wholly caused by tho failure of men who have, registered for seivice in-the several districts to answer tho summons to proceed to camp to commenco their training, as members of the Expeditionary Force. The position is made all the moro • fceribus by reason of tho fact that it will not bo possible to use the wholo of tho compulsory provisions of the Compulsory Service Act for at least another month to mako good this shortage. It is intended to exercise tho powers conferred on tho Minister of Defence by Section 3d of the Act with respect to families containing two or more unenlisted sons who belons to tho first division of the reserve so soon as the Military Service Hoards can Iks set up. The board must, therefore, relyon tho help of all Recruiting Commit'tees to fill the gaps in tho Twonty-first Reinforcements. I trculd urgently urge upon every Recruiting Committee to leave no stone unturned within the next few days to provide tho men who are required to enable the Twenty-first Reinforcements to commence training at full strength, and I would particularly ask Recruiting Committees to endeavour by every means in their power to induce the men who have registered but have, failed to answer the call to now com© forward and proceed to camp. W. F. MASSEY. Chairman. NEED FOR RECRUITS. TOTAL SHORTAGE OF 640. Tho latest figures of the mobilisation of tho Twenty-first Reinforcements at Trentham and Featherson show that thev are no fewer than 640 men short, over 600 of tho shortage beiug in the infantrv arm alone, states the ''Post. ' The shortages from tho various military districts now stand as follows: — Auckland district (not city) . 170 Wellington, district (not city) . 302 Canterbury district ... 80 Ota go district . . . .90 Total shor,tago . . . .642 Tbo figure given for the Canterbury military district is only approximate as the West Coast quota will not arrive until Monday. With such a big shortage for the Twenty-first Reinforcements, there is good reason lor anxiety regarding the position of recruiting m Now. Zealand, and the hope is again expressed that tho local authorities and others will lese no time in rousing the country on tho matter. The military authorities desire that, if possible, the total shortage shall be made up by Tuesday next. At present there appears little prospect of this being done, and the timo probably will have to bo extended. The need is for prompt action being taken.