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Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 83, 6 April 1916, Page 7

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PRIME MINISTER'S APPEAL. MASTERTON, Tin sdrv. Th e Prime Minister had a busy time in Wairarapa to-day. He delivered addresses on recruiting at Featherstcn, Martinborough, and Carterton. Members of locr.l bodies were addressed in the afternoon ,and a public meeting at Gireytown iu the evening. Mr. Massoy had an enthusiastic reception at Masterton, the new Town Hall being packed to the doors. Mr. Hugh Morrison occupied 'the chair, while on the stags was Sir Walter Buchanan, Mr. Hornsby and Mr. Sykes, M.P.'s, and members of the local Recruiting Board.

Mr. Masscy said the Government was determined to give the voluntary system a thorough and exhaustive trial; it had not failed yet. Eeferring to the appeal to local bodies for assistance, he said it was impossible to complete the" rolls without their aid, and whether we had a voluntary or compulsory system, the information they could supply would be invaluable to the Board. He trusted those who had volunteered for branches of the service other than infantry wcu'Ji follow the lead of the mounted men at Feat-herston camp, who said they would serve where they were most needed. If men displayed this spirit there would be no shortage in reinforcements for some time to come. There were two thousand single men eligible who liad not yet responded to the call. This was why newspapers and others were clamouring for conscription. He said: "There are the men, and it is their duty to offer their services to the country and the Empire." He believed in national service, and wished the country to know it. Nothing mattered now but th e war, and if those who failed to volunteer were deprived of the'rights of citizenship after the war it would serve them right. Mr. Wilford, M.P., also spoke. The Premier and Mr. Wilford addressed thousands in the open air afterwards, and were given a great reception.