FOR THE EMPIRE'S SAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1915, Page 3

FOR THE EMPIRE'S SAKE.

THE NEED FOR MEN. POINTED OUT BY THE MINISTER. By Telegraph.—Special to Daily News. Wellington, Oct. 2. The circular letter issued by the Minister of Defence to employers on the subject of recruiting is being interpreted in some quarters as a hint that unmarried men of military age ought not to be allowed to remain in employment, outside the industries concerned i with the production of military supplies. The Minister, as a matter of fact, did not intend to suggest that employers should dismiss men who, on the face of it, ought to become recruits, but he does not disguise his belief that the time is approaching when the men of this country will have to consider their responsibilities more seriously than they have ever done before. He has to find some 25,000 recruits during the next twelve months, over and above the 0000 men now waiting to be called into camp. Should the war continue for two years he will require 00,000 men. "I want the country to realise that we have got to find the men, and that there must be no delay in putting the various reinforcement drafts into training," said the Minister, in mentioning this subject. "Recruiting has proceeded very well in the past, but the strain is now becoming more severe. I am making a .special appeal now to the unmarried men of military age who have not yet registered. 1 want everyone of them to ask whether it is not his duty to serve with the forces. The census returns, which will be cheeked later by the national register, indicate that there are still many thousands of young men who have not responded to the call. We are not exempting the married men from the appeal for recruits. The married man who feels that his responsibilities will let him enlist now is wanted, but I think the unmarried men will feel themselves that they ought to come forward first." •