CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 279, 4 May 1915, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

AIDING RECRUITING. If New Zealand is to carry out its undertaking with the Imperial Government and do its manifest duty, more men will need to come forward than are at present offering. The Minister for Defence states that the Government requires (5000 men in the next six weeks. This means energetic recruiting. The Government, however, whilst asking for tho greatest possible number of recruits, does not desire the men to throw up their work until notified by the Defence Department to do so, but to register. This does not suit everyone. The average recruit makes up his mind suddenly, and wants to I leave his work, and "get into it." The Department, in view of the increased size of the forces, might provide further training facilities. Patriotic committees could materially assist in the recruiting campaign by opening offices, giving intending recruits full information, and generally " fathering" them. There are large numbers of men who are burning to help, but on account of their age or tho stringency of the medical examination cannot be accepted. Could not room be found for such in the Army Service Corps, the Medical Corps, or the Pay Department? They would be quite as useful as any of those who comply with the standards set for the infantry, the artillery, or the mounted forces. Then, in regard to recruiting, more interest should be taken in the young fellows who leave for Trentham. The departure of most of those who have gone from Now Plymouth has been marked with no heartiness or enthusiasm; there has been nothing done to show them that they have the community behind them, that they are going forth to light the battles for their own town as much as for their King and country. No bands to kindle their spirits, nothing but cold indifference. How different from the days of the Boer war, when every man who left was regarded as a hero! And, compared with the present war, the African fighting was a picnic, and the issues almost insignificant. Cannot the leading public men of each community do something to raise the public from their apathy and infuse a little enthusiasm into the recruiting? They might address specially organised, public meetings; they might advantageously use the columns of the newspapers to awaken the public to their duty as well as the younger men to theirs; they might do a hundred and one other things to stimulate recruiting. There is such a lack of enthusiasm shown by most people in these parts over the war that it is hardly surprising so many of our young men, without ties and responsibilities, sound in limb and capable in every way of bearing arms, have so far failed to recognise the gravity of Britain's need of them and the inomentousness of the issues of the titanic struggles now going on.

COMMENCING THE TRAM LINE. The forma! ceremony performed by the Mayor of New Plymouth yesterday in breaking the ground at Moturoa as the first step in the process of the construction of the tramline from the Port to Fitzroy was an event of considerable importance in the history of the town. Greater New Plymouth should be able, to support the trams in such a way as to ensure that they will soon pay ail expenses, including interest on the loan. If they do this in three or four years ratepayers should be satisfied, and it can safely be left to the future to provide profits that will assist the borough funds. The advice tendered by the contractor as to not fixing the fares too low at the start will certainly be well considered by the Council, who, in coming to a decision will naturally bear in mind the fact that cheap fares are a groat factor in luring the people generally to patronise this means of locomotion. Ones the residents become used to travelling in the trams it becomes a fixed habit, and to that is due the rapid rise in the revenue, as is so strikingly evidenced in the case of the Wanganui system. The Mayor very aptly pointed out the great advantage New Plymouth enjoys as to cheap power, and that factor should have, an important bearing on the financial result of the enterprise. The burgesses arc to be. congratulated on the near approach of the Pagination of this public convenience' for travelling from one end of the borough to the other, and visitors will greatly appreciate the boon. The trams will not only add to the importance of the town, but will give, we hope, an impetus to expansion and progress, besides adding to its attractiveness as a seaside resort.