RECRUITING.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 201, 30 September 1916, Page 5

RECRUITING.

(Special Correspondent) WELLINGTON, Sept. 28 The big shortage in the TwentyFirst Reinforcements which appeared to occasion the military authorities little concern when it was first announced seems to be causing them some anxiety now. The Minister of Defence is making earnest appeals through the newspapers to men or military age to save the voluntary system from failure, and the recruiting office has been shifted from Buckle Street, where it was far removed from the public eye, to a much better stand in the Town Hall. This latter step has involved the practical extinction of the recruiting organisation which has been doing such excellent work under the capable guidance of Captain Barclay, and as a consequence a good deal of feeling is being displayed by the friends of the movement. Captain Barclay, whose services have been very cordially recognised by the Minister, speaks quite frankly about the matter. “The present stand on the part of the military authorities,” he says, “is all bunkum. It is an attempt on their part to force in a wedge under the voluntary system in an unfair man, ner.” The captain and his helpers naturally resent their deposition, and they are receiving a large amount of sympathy from the public, but Mr. Allen, as usual, is standing loyally by his military advisers, and the new arrangement is not likely to be disturbed.