THE CALL FOR MEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1916, Page 8

THE CALL FOR MEN.

Mil. MASSEY in the wairarapa. By Telegraph.—Press Association. • Masterton, April 4. The Prime Minister had a busy time in tliu Wairarapa to-day, when lie delivered six addresses on recruiting. At Feutherston, Martinborough and Carterton members of local bodies were addressed in the afternoon, and a public meeting at Oreytown in the evening gave Mr. Massey an enthusiastic reception. At Masterton the new Town Hall was packed to the doors. Mr. Hugh Morrison occupied the chair, while on the stage were Sir Walter Buchanan, Messrs Hornsby and Sykes, M.'P.'s, and members of the local Recruiting Board. Mr. Massey said the Government were determined to give the voluntary system a thorough and exhaustive trial. It hart not failed yet. Referring to the appeal to local bodies for assistance, he said it ~is impossible to complete rolls ~'ithout their aid, and whether the system was voluntary or compulsory, the information they could supply would be invaluable to the Board. He trusted that those who had volunteered for branches of the service other than, infantry would follow the lead of the" mounted men, at Foathcrston camp, who said they would servce where they were most needed. If men displayed this rpirit, there would be no shortage in reinforcements for some time to come. The voluntary system appealed to him, and though it had seemed men to defend us and to do justice to the country, there were tens of thousands of single men eligible who had not responded to the call. This was why newspapers and others 'were clamoring for conscription. He said it was the duty of these men to offer their services to the country and Empire. He believed in national service, and wished the country to know it. Nothing mattered now but fche war, j and if those who had tailed to volunteer were deprived of citizenship after the war. then serve them right. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., alao spoke. I ThePretnier and Mr. Wilford afterwards t addressed thousands in the open-air, I jfrfien they received a. great reception.