Franklin County Council and Recruiting.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 173, 12 May 1916, Page 3

Franklin County Council and Recruiting.

! TO THE EDITOR

Sir,-In tne report in your is9ue of Tuesday last of the Franklin County Council's meeting, the clerk is reported as stating that "most of the Ccurcillara had ma-ked oft" the rclls of their different ridings." The inference is that tt.ev added the names of eligibles mho were not on the official register. What of those Councillors who have rot done theii plain duty as public men and as requested.by ' the Defence Committee tor the Dominion? In the interests of ratepayers who are patriotic, I consider their names should ce made public. It ia not necessary to make a personal canvbS3. Each Coucc llor fhnuld know his riding sufficiently well to be able to fill and complete the reigster. This is a very iiec;ssary and important work, which should have been completed in readiness for conscription. The Council favours conscription, yet dots not do the necessary public duty, which the Government cannot do except at great expense and loss of time, and that is the m< st important factur. Evidrntly some Councillor have shirked their public duty, bs apart from the register the circular sent out by the Right Hon Mr Massey, as head of the Recruiting Board, particularly requested members of local bodies to complete the register, also to personally canvass eligible men. Had Auckland Province sent away its full quota it would pot have mattered so much, but with a shortage, as also with other shortages in vie*, it is necessary for Councillors to wake up, and do what they can to help the authorities. We see Members of Parliament volunteering both here ar,d at Horn", also Mayors and members ci' local {bodies, thus showing the rank anl file of civil lire the example. Is all patriotic teeling dead in this County, or are all the Councillors and members of other lecal bodies not eligible that we do not see any ol them making the offer z( their scrvic s, or actively engaging in recruiting works? As representatives of the pjblic wc look to them for a lead and example. I don't wish to belittle what the County has done in both men and money, hut I will say a areat deal more could be dona if a healthy public spirit was shown by our public men. Surely no public man or member of a hcai body woul I be silly enough through eg tism to tail to carry out the suggestions of the Defence Committee with all the information it possesses, but which from motives of public policy it must keep secret. —1 am, etc, VETEKAN JOth May, 191G