THE QUOTA SYSTEM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 314, 14 June 1915, Page 8

THE QUOTA SYSTEM.

A CHANGE MADE.

ENCOURAGING LARGE REGISTRATIONS.

Wellington, June 11,

The Minister of Defence informal a representative of the New Zealand Times to-day that lie had decided to make \ cbange in the method of allotting '■" quotas" to the various districts in connection with the expeditionary forces. The system pursued so far had been to fix for each district the proportion of men'it sould supply to each reinforcement, hut certain districts had found difficulty in completing their quotas under this arrangement, while other districts had accumulated recruits faster than they were required, the result being delay in getting tlie men into camp. Wellington recruits, for example, have been told lately that they must wait at least four months before beginning their (period of training at Trentham. "In future wo will not call the men up according to the district quotas," said the .'Minister. "We will call them up according to the number requested in each district, the district with the largest number of registrations getting tlie largest quota, so that if ft district wants to be well represented in the successive drafts of reinforcements it must see tbat its registration returns are good." Tlie Minister said that the new scheme would enable the district with a large number of registrations to get its men away within reasonable time, and would avoid tho danger of placing an unfair burden on a particular province lty allotting it a larger quota than it could meet without undue strain.

GREAT PARADE IN AUCKLAND. TO HELP HOSPITAL SHIP FUND. Auckland, Last Night. Seldom have Auckland's streets been so crowded as this afternoon, when thousands gathered to witness the great parade of Territorials, National Reserve and other defence units. The parade was held in aid of the hospital ship, and nollectors in uniforms wore busy everywhore. Two great meetings were held, and the speakers included the Bishop of Auckland and the officer commanding the district. A large sum will result from the demonstration, which should also give great impetus to recruiting. FOR THE SICK AND WOUNDED. LAfftGE SUM RAISED. Wanganui, Last Night. With the object of raising a fund for sick and wounded soldiers, commercial travellers took charge of the town on Saturday. The weather was very unpleasant, especially at night, hut the rarnival was a great success, the takings totalling £IOOO, with further sums Btill to come. A feature of the carnival was a mock court, before which people were haled by grotesque policemen, and fines totalling over £6OO were levied and paid smilingly.

NOT PLAYING THE CAME. LETTING THE OTHER MAN TIGHT. Timaru, June 12. The South Canterbury quota of 85 infantry and 40 mounted were given an enthusiastic send-off this craning .by the largest crowd since the war began, and were addressed byi tile Mayor, Mr. Guinness, and Mr. Craigie, M.P. Mr. Craigie said sons, widowers and poor men were going freely, wliilo aonie well-to-do young men witli no ties were stopping at home and letting others fight to protect their properties. This was not playing the game, a sentiment which was heartily endorsed by the big crpwd.

PRESBYTERIANS AND CHAPLAIN SHIP 9.

Wellington, June 12.

At a meeting of the Wellington Presbytery to-day it was decided to enter an emphatic protest against the action of the Minister of Defence in refusing to appoint a Presbyterian chaplain to the hospital ship. The Presbytery finds it very difficult to understand the assertion that in so doing Mr. Allen is Icarrying out the instructions of the Home authorities, who are not likely at this juncture to go out of their way; to insult the church of a nation which in proportion to its numbers has made greater sacrifices for the cause of Empire than any other portion of the King's dominions.

PATRIOTIC DENTISTS. Timaru, June 12. 1 Brer since recruiting ibegan tlio dentists have been giving great help l>y attending to the requirements of volunteers free of charge. The Timaru 'branch of the Dental Association recently conceived the idea of putting thin work on a 'better footing, and so arranged with the recruiting officer that volunteers otherwise fit who required dental treatment should be sent officially to the branch president, who would ar'range for free treatment. The scheme 'has been in operation for a fortnight, 'during which 25 men have been under treatment. The officer commanding the Canterbury'district expresses warm appreciation of the association's action.

NELaOIT RECRUITS. . Nelson, Juno 12. ■ Between sixty and seventy mon from the Nelson area, the district'* full quota for the seventh reinforcements, proceed to Trontham to-day. NEW ZEALAND NURSES. j Wellington, List Niglit. The thirty-one nurses who recently left New Zealand for service a.broa'd have now definitely received instructions en route that they are to proceed to Egypt. The Minister for Defence stated yesterday that lie had received information to that effect. Originally, it had been intended that the nurses should go to England. It is probable that the second squad of nurses will sail in the hospital ship. OTAGO'S PATRIOTISM. Oamaru, Last Night. Tho" departure of the North Otago quota of Jls men for the 7th Reinforcements on Saturday afternoon aroused intense enthusiasm, the route being lined with thousands of cheering people. The Mayor and Mr. Lee, M.P., made optimistic patriotic speeches.