THE CALL FOR MEN

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 4

THE CALL FOR MEN

SOUTH ISLAND'S RETROGRESSION*.- - COMPULSION PREDICTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, March 17. ''Auckland lias done well, Wellington poorly, Otago badly, and Canterbury very badly indeed," said a headquarters officer to-day, when asked liow the men for the 14th Reinforcements had come forward. This general statement was not backed by definite figures—the Defence Department is strangely reticent regarding recruiting and mobilisation returns, but your correspondent gathered in the course of further inquiries that Auckland lias provided its full quota and something over. Wellington has. just about filled ita quota after making a vigorous effort, while the two southern military districts have failed to cover their shortages. Canterbury was asked for 100 men to fill gaps in its draft by to-day, and it is stated to liave sent forward only four of them.

These shortages do not mean, in actual practice, that the- 14th Reinforcements will bo below the proper strength. The gaps -will be filled (from the. Reserve, which consists of partially trained men, and the Defence Department will set itself to complete the Reserve again before tho next Reinforcement draft is called up. But this continued failure to mobilise tho drafts at full strength is disquieting. Every Reinforcement since the 9th hag gone into camp short of its proper number of recruits and the gaps have been filled with increasing difficulty. Wellington bore the brunt of the trouble for many months, by finding the 'majority of the extra.men, but now this military district is becoming less responsive to special appeals. The members of the Recruiting Board say still that they expect to get the men they- require under the voluntary system for many months to come. They* point out that the new recruiting scheme is not yet in full operation, and they are encouraged in their optimism by the very excellent results that have been achieved in some centres where special concerted efforts have already been made. But there is evidence that the Prime Minister and his colleagues no longer believe that they can finish the war under the voluntary system. The Hon. R. McNab is reported ito have said in Auckland that if he 1 had his way he "would not allow one married man to go into the ranks until he was satisfied that the man had .made full and ample, provision for his wife in case he fell, and imtil every eligible man in the country had offered his services." The sentimens may be excellent, but the plain fact ia that under present conditions the Government cannot fill the drafts without taking a considerable number of married men. The supply of unmarried volunteers is not sufficient for needs, although the National Register returns indicate that there are plenty of single men in the country.

What of the future? Your correspondent Dim- no hesitation in predicting that the Government will ask 'Parliament for powers of compulsion during the coming session. A conscription law may be on the Statute Book before the end of June, Just what lines the Government's proposals will follow remains t» lie seen. Probably the Bill will fellow the precedent of the British Act and apply conscription to single men wh» do not register before a certain date. The Government may not choose to use its powers until the voluntary system has failed definitely, but there is scarcely the least doubt that it will ask Parliament for the necessary authority before the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance j»ake their visit to London.