NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1508, 10 February 1916, Page 2

NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

Thk Recruiting Board has commenced operations and circulars outlining the methods to be adopted have been forwarded to local bodies and patriotic societies throughout the Dominion. The head office is located in the Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, with Mr J. D. Gray as secretary. The covering letter accompanying details of the scheme states “ Our engagements with the Imperial authorities necessitate the raising, training, equipment, and sending to the front every four weeks Reinforcements of 2350 men as long as the war lasts in addition to the 34,000 troops already sent to the front and the 12,000 men now in training. While this represents a big effort on the part of a little more than a million people,

the National Register shows that the number required can be maintained for a considerable time without any undue strain upon the country or its industrial life. There is no reason to think we shall be unable to enrol the men on the voluntary system, provided a determined and systematic effort is made to bring home to men of military age and fitness, and more especially to the single men with the minimum of responsibilities, the vital necessity for their active co-operation with their comrades already at the front.”

It is to be hoped the scheme will do all that it is anticipated of it in the way of providing necessary recruits. If it fails, then the only alternative is conscription. The various committees work in their own localities, and by individual canvassing get into personal touch with those who are hanging back without reasonable cause. In this particular, however, men undertaking the work need to exercise a proper discretion and careful diplomacy. The blunt enthusiast may do more harm than good.

The scheme provides for the distribution of badges to be worn by men who have offered their services and those who have offered and those who, for physical or other reasons, have been rejected, The wearing of these badges will afford the public an opportunity to recognise chose men who have not offered their services. The need for such badges has been felt in every community to protect those who have offered their services from the base insinuations which they have been subjected to in the past by irresponsible busy-bodies. The whole scheme should be in thorough working order within the next fortnight.