THE RECRUITING PROBLEM

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 149, 23 February 1916, Page 2

THE RECRUITING PROBLEM

Opinion of Mauku Farmers

At a meeting of the Mauku branch of the Farm°ra' Union, held in the Patumahoe Hall oa Monday evening last, the matte*- of the Government's new recruiting scheme was discussed in connection with a letter received from the Auckland Executive stating that they (the Execuive) ha:l already expressed the oyiinion that straightout conBcription was the only right method ot providing men for "the Expeditionary forces, hut as the National Cabinet had inaugurated a new scheme they felt in duty bound to support it, and therefore recommended members of the Union generally to give ac'ive support to the Local Kecruiting Committee! At this juncture Mr S Hill, who had been presiding, a ; ked that another chairman should be appointed whilst the question was discussed, as he was of military age, and Mr J Henry temporarily took the chair Mr Henry stated that as the question was to come up for discußsion at the next Franklin C vjnty Council meeting he would he glad to have an expression of opinion from those present that night Mr R W Johns thought the scheme propounded was a very feeble way of doing businees. The only method, he said." he would pupport was straightout conscription. Under the present Defence Act, ha added, it war was declared in the Dominion power was given to call up anybody, and he thought an Act ot Parliament could be pased making conscription apply only to the present war Mr S Hill said he did not approve of asking the County Council to take up the recruiting work He iavoured D-e idea of trying to carry on the war by voluntary effort?, but would support some scheme of National organisation whereby a full register would be taken of all men and women and linding out where they could be best emplnyed either in or put of the country

Mr Henry thought that some method ol discrimination should be employed, and first only those that could best be spared should te called. According to the recruiting card all who signed it would be called up, but he considered it abso Jutely necessary to see that the productiveness ct the cnuntry was not endangered. Be certainly did not Ilk'- the job proposed seeording to the new recruiting schenr. ami thought if a Departmental officer were to accompany the Kecruiting Committeee it would be ol mote avail Mr S Hill propped, and Mr M Crisne seconded. "That the branch recommend* the Government to pro pound some sch:-me of national; organisation einOcdying the main princitil-:s of the Military Compulsion Bill aa passed bv the British Parliment, eo that the services of every male and female can be best employed for the prosecution of the war, either in or out of the country." Mi <|uhGß proposed, and Mr F Kavanagh seconded, as au amend ment, "That this branch expresses the opinion that the Government of the country should support straightout compulsory service." Ihe amendment was carried