BRITAIN'S RECRUITING BOOM.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1915, Page 4

BRITAIN'S RECRUITING BOOM.

Faced with the inevitable alternative of conscription unless the voluntary enlistments came up to the required mark, the manhood of Britain has, during the last days available under Lord Derby's scheme, given a most gratifying response to the call to arms. It was feared a few days ago that the doom of voluntaryism had been sealed, but the marvellous boom which set in during the last three days Ims placed the matter in a different light. Throughout the country there has been a most surprising rush of recruits at the eleventh hour, and the scenes at the various recruiting stations were phenomenal, record enrolments being everywhere the rule. From early morning till aiter midnight men have waited to be sworn in, and' so great was the rush thut medical examinations had to be deferred, while some of the recruiting officers have not been able to take off their clothes for four days. Prior to the last few days the married men preponderated, but in the final rush the rally of the single men was the outstanding feature. The scenes described in the cables com.j the impression that, at last, the serious nature of the position of affairs has been fully realised. Lord Derby's report was to have been, and doubtless was, presented yesterday, and the announcement of the numbers will be awaited with the utmost interest. Apart from the welcome and timely accession of strength given to the Allied forces as the result of this recruiting boom, the moral effect on the enemy cannot fail to be enormous. Germanv must recognise that for her the future is full of menace, for Britain alone is now throwing the whole of her resources of men, money, and munitions into the scale, and what that means the German authorities will soon realise, nothwithstanding all their vainglorious boasting, Lord Derby is certainly the hero of the hour for he has accomplished little less than a miracle. Surely this splendid boom in the Hmeland will be an object lesson for the Dominions. It is as if we heard the voice of Lord Derby telling every part of the Empire to do likewise. New Zealand has boasted that she has led the way in the van of progress. Now is the time to make good the boast by a rival boom in recruiting that, on a population basis, will outrival tfcat of England. There is only one means of securing victory —by defeating our enemies—and this cannot be achieved without an adequate force of men. The manhood of old England has at last risen to the occasion, and is awaiting help from overseas. It is with pride in this further proof of the vitality of the old stock that we view the result of Lord Derby's recruiting campaign, and it is to be hoped that the sons of the Empire will give equal cause for the exhibition of a similar sentiment.