CALL TO THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1915, Page 5

CALL TO THE FRONT.

THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM. W DISCUSSED AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The question of the voluntary system [versus conscription was discussed at\tHe meeting of the Taranaki -Chamber t of Commerce last night. The subject w4i introduced by the President (Mr. W. J. Pcnn), who remarked that he felt that conscription should not he introduced until the voluntary system had been thoroughly tried, ftnt when the voluntary system broke down, he said, compulsory service should be introduced. A! great portion of the Rritisb labor people were against compulsory service, and already there were young men leaving N'ew Zealand because they feared compulsory service. New Zealand wouldbe belter without this type of man, bnt »fc, the same time it hud to be reincmbevid that the fact that men were leaving New Zealand would be known in Gefmany, and it would be magnified tlwii and made to appear that young m*n were leaving Xew Zealand became they were against the war, lie moved (bit lhe Government should not enforce compulsory service until the voluntary system had been given every chance. Mr. .T. Paton seconded the motion. , Mr. .1. Clarke thought the voluntary system was breaking down now. To-da v the -Wellington district was two hundred men short, nnd consequently thoso men would be rushed into camp at the last moment nnd would go away not completely trained. There was no doubt that the Defence Department was making "a hash" of the problem. The civ all over New Zealand was for more tnen, and it had been proved this week tli'it Ihe men could not be obtained. Tim svsteni was breaking down, and something shAuld be done before it brok« down altogether. He was convinced that il the Empire hail lia-l conscription nine months ago it would lie in a much better position io-day. He did not advocate conscription in lime of peace, bnt the present times were different,and the call froip the trenches was for more men. Was it fair that the men in the trenches should be kept there for longer periods than was right, lie. cause men at home would not gn to thw front? There were hundreds of men in New Zealand who would not go to til" front, and had no intention of golnj{ until they were compelled to. Volnn- f tary service had now broken down in December, and what would be the position in January? The "slackers" could only be got at by conscription. Mr. Johns instanced that Lord Derby's scheme at Home hail nut broken down, and he thought there was every indication that it would not. This ifnet was the strongest, argument in favor of the voluntary svstem.

Mr. Puton said mow facilities should lie privon to recruits, and tli<- system of medical examinations should lie revise#. Mr. J. D. Sole considered that mismanagement by the Defence Department was responsible for the pool results now being obtained by the voluntary, system. The motion was carried.