600 SHORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1915, Page 5

600 SHORT.

MEN FOR THE ELEVENTHS WANTED. TARANAKI WANTS TWENTY-TWO. SKVJSN RECRUITS IN' TWO DAYS. The shortage of men is greater than was previously anticipated. A Press Association message from Wellington says:—"The shortage 'for the Eleventh Reinforcements is greater than was anticipated. Each of the four military districts sent in short quotas, making a total shortage for New Zealand of between 500 and 000 men. The Defence Headquarters urge that the number should fee made up before Christmas by men enlisting for the infantry on the understanding that they will go into camp at once." Of the thirty infantrymen required from Taranaki eight fit men were enlisted up to last night, leaving twenty-two men wanted by next 'Wednesday night. Three men left for camp by the mail train yesterday morning, one passed the doctor at New Plymouth yesterday, one passed at Hawera, and the recruiting agent at Ghura reported that lie had enlisted three fit men. Major McNaught (commander of the Taranaki district) stated last night that the difliculty is not in actually getting men, but in getting them to go into camp before Christmas. He said there were a certain number of men registered on the books at the headquarters at Hawera, but they had stated they did not wish to be called up before January or February. The appeal for men now, however, is so urgent that Major MeNaught has telegraphed to every man in Taranaki who has registered appealing to him to go into camp immediately. "I would suggest to the clergy that they might refer to this special appeal in their sermons, morning and evening, on Sunday," added Major MeNaught. "We want to touch the men in all sections of the community, and it appears to me that the churches offer an excellent channel."

At a meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee yesterday afternoon the following plan to assist tV campaign was decided upon:—

(1) A committee consisting of Messrs Carter, Bellringer, Goodacre, Weston, Hill, Allen, Gibson, and Lieut. Crutch will personally apprpach men in Now Plymouth and the surrounding district, who have enlisted and passed the doctorand are waiting until next month, to endeavor to persuade as many as possible to come forward now and answer this urgent appeal. (As Major McNatight has done this, the committee will not carry out this decision.) (-) That the captain of A Company of the Territorials be asked to make a personal appeal to his men, urging upon them the necessity of offering their services.

(3) That Employers be requested to persuade the eligible men in their employment to enlist. (4) That members of the Patriotic Committee use their personal influence to get young men not already enlisted to offer their services immediately. (5) That an appeal be made to men who have enlisted with the Army Service Corps and the Ambulance Corps (with the exception of those specially qualified) to transfer to the infantry.