CALL TO ARMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1915, Page 4

CALL TO ARMS.

SIX RECRUITS ON SATURDAY. AX EXAMPLE Mil! NI'W m'lyjijTH. Six men enlisted at New Plymouth on Saturday—one at the Defence Office, and live at Mr. A. IS. (iibson's recruiting office. This makes the total enlistments at New Plymouth during the past week 29, and the position in North Taranaki is now as followB:

Next Reinforcements The Tenths Go into camp (about) November 15 Dominion's total 3500 Taranaki's quota 250 New Plymouth's quota , 70 Men already enrolled 164 Saturday's recruits 6 Days left to enlist 14 Two grievances in connection with recruiting were ventilated in New Plymouth last week—more facilities for medical examination and assistance for recruits who have defective teeth requiring attention—and an article in the New Zealand Herald shows that Auckland offers an example for New Plymouth in both matters. In Auckland, medical examinations are held in the evening, and the Herajtl says: "The evening medical examination seems likely to be largely availed of by men who are working at trades and other occupations which prevent their attendance at the Defence Office in the daytime." In New Plymouth, the medical ollleer (Dr. Fookes) is placed in an unfair position, for he lias to attend to recruits in addition to his ordinary heavy work, and when he is delayed, waiting recruits have to put up with much inconvenience. At a time when jnen are urgently required the examinations should be arranged to suit the men and Dr. Fookes Bhould have assistance. In regard to the matter of attending to the teeth of recruits, the Auckland dental hospital lias offered to attend to recruits free of charge, and many men have taken advantage of the offer. The Herald sayß it is believed that this system will prove an excellent aid to recruiting. The men wlio enlisted at ifew Plymouth on Saturday are;—

AT THE DEFENCE OFFTCiF. Arthur John Giddy, farmer Bell Clock. AT MR. GIBSON'S OFFICES. Leonard Jno. Rundle, farmer, Bell Block. Samuel W. Nioholls, gardener, Mokau. Townsend 'W. May, farm hand, Itorito. Herbert H. Upson, farm hand, Vogeltown. Philip Hallmond, farmer, Mokau. The following men registered at Hawera on Saturday:— W. Mitchell, Kaponga. R. B. Springer, Ha were. C. Williajns, Otakeho. D. C. Williams, Patea. J. M. Wylie, Ngaere. TH| DOMINION'S RESPONSE.

The position of recruiting In Taranaki at present is good, but nearly all the men now enrolled will be required to lilll the draft leaving in a few weeks.'At New Plymouth, for instance, over 160 men have enlisted for the Tenth Reinforcements, but the percentage of men rejected was exceptionally high last week. In Auckland recruiting is splendid. The Star on last Friday, said:— "Recruiting in Auckland this week has been quite satisfactory, in view of the fact that it was known that our contribution to the Tenth 'Reinforcements was filled the moment the quota was announced. Under the circumstances, it is gratifying to find that the city alone, since Monday last, has registered 143 men, 110 of whom have passed the medical examination."

Meetings of employers and employees at Dutfedin informed the Minister for Defence that they regarded compulsory service as the only solution oC the recruiting problem. Compulsion may be necessary in Otago. It is a matter for congratulation that it is not necessary here (says, the Auckland Star), and if the compulsory system is necessary in New Zealand, it seems obvious that it must he introduced on South African line*. Tn South Africa the commando system obtains. Quotas are fixed for each military district on a population basis. am| if any one district fails to find its quota, the Government introduces compulsion in that district. Tim position is viewed seriously in the South. Wellington is being asked to make tile biggest recruiting efl'ort, and is responding splendidly, but Wellington paper* .suggest the likelihood of trouble ahead, and a nicsage, sent from Wellington, as follows, is significant: "Recruiting is the topic of the hour, as it is very much the business of the hour, and is likely to be for many days and months'. It is well understood that but for his anxiety as to the raising of men for our reinforcement drafts, the Prime Minister would he free to accept a .summons to attend an Imperial Conference in London."

TO AKOUSE MEN. mo i!Afi.v at wiauxGTox. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Might. An enthusiastic recruiting rally was held in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. It was attended by Hon. W T\ Massey, Sir J. 0. Ward, Hon A. M. Myers (Minister of Munitions), Mr. T. M. Wili'ord, and other prominent citizens. Mr. Wilford, in a strong fighting speech, moved that, "realising how vital it is for the life of the British Empire that recruiting be energetically and systematically carried out, this meeting pledges itself to do all possible, to answer every call." Mr. A. Jolly, in seconding the motion, said he hoped that 110 man would place himself in the position of having to some day tell his ohildren that he funked it. The resolution was carried. On Mr. MnssevV motion, the meeting passed an expression of sympathy with King fleorge, with the hope of a speodv recovery from his accident. Mr. Massev said it. was out of the question to let Germany secure a victory. The blood of the Belgians, French, and Russians crieiT aloud for vengeance. Germany must be made to pay the uttermost, for her outrages, pillage. and destruction of sacred and historic buildings He warned young men who hung back from going to the front that they never will hold up their heads in future. TTe did not want conscription, but !f men did not volunteer, conscription would have to be resorted to.

Sir J. Ward expressed lire beliet that tlie young men of this countiy, would do their duty. If they W«n disinclined to do it, let the women oli New Zealand disown them. The war must only end in one way—in a victory for Britain and the Allies. There could be nothing in the .shape of a patched-up|

peace. Hon. A. if. Myers and Captain Simson also spoke, the latter stressing the need for more men at the front. He hoped conscription would not be necessary. for then there would be in the ranks cowards and "cold feet." One volunteer was worth a dozen of pressed imyi. Several men came forward at the end of the meeting and volunteered for Bet vice.