THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1915, Page 6

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

NOT CONSCRIPTION* RECRUITING VERY SATISFACTORY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Nicht. "We have no idea of conscription ill our minds, and I hope we shall never give it a thought," was the reply made iby the Minister for Defcnctt to-day to the view expressed hv -Mr. W. M. Hughes, Federal Attorney-General, that the New Zealand national register is a modified foijji of conscription. "The purpose of the register is to ascertain the resources ot the Dominion, and .1 certainly think it should include women. We want to know,' 1 said Mr. Allen, "How many unmarried men between the ages of 20 and <lO years have not cnjisted, and how many have volunteered, but have been unable to Comply with the regulations. We also want to know how many men are available, and how .they are employed. New Zealand is playing its "art splendidly, and the spirit of tile people is such that there will never be an, need for conscription. The spirit of the nation is sinking into the itlnL (K •: who have not already realised their duty will, I believe, be led to think about it by the taking of the register." "Recruiting is very good indeed," Mr. Allen continued. "We have enough men for the two new battalions of infantry, and for the Ninth Reinforcements. That 'js a wonderful record, and so long as the volume of recruiting is sufficient to in.iintiim the ■ic'mnireements a contingent ahead of immediate needs, there will be no need for any stimulus except the conscience of the people." M"\ Allen Miidftke national register would enable tiie Government to keep the industries of the eountryi going. Agriculture and factories engaged in the production of military equipment were as essential as the soldier himself, and it wan anticipated that some organisation would be necessary.