CONSCRIPTION ADVOCATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1916, Page 7

CONSCRIPTION ADVOCATED.

■ACTION BY LOCAL BODIES.

At tlie meeting of the Egmont County Council on Tuesday, a brief discussion took place on the question of conscription. Tlie matter was introduced by a circulai resolution from the Waitomo County Council asking the co-operation of all local bodies throughout the Dominion, in urging the Minister of Defence to discontinue the vo'untary system of recruiting, and that a ballot be taken for the quota in each military district as provided in tlie War Regulations Act of 1!)1C. The resolution was prompted by the fact that there were too many youths volunteering, whilst older and matured men eligible for service were content to hang back and see these 'boys go and fight for them. Cr. McNeill moved that the resolution be supported. There were in his district some men who were hanging back. They were shirkers, and were worse than Germans. They would not subscribe anything to any patriotic fund in the Dominion. They were now hanging hack a3 far as possible, and some had enlisted to go to camp with the 23rd Reinforcements, which was the limit, although the 21st Reinforcements were 390 short. Cr. Young seconded.

Tho chairman did not see ill at, the resolution would have any effect, whether forjiarm or good. The Government had made up its mind that the reinforcements must be kept up, either by ballot or some other method, and were practically doing so at present. 'He did not like the idea of discontinuing the voluntary system, because there might be men willing to volunteer now whose circumstances did not permit of their doing so before. The resolution was carried.