THE CALL FOR MEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1916, Page 7

THE CALL FOR MEN.

SI ANY RECRUITS NEEDED',

ANOTHER SHORTAGE THREATENED (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, October 9 The 2r2nd Reinforcements, which include the shortage of some 500 men Brought forward from the 20th and 21st Reinforcements, will be 1 mobilised next week, and many additional recruits will require to be secured during. the next few days if the draft is to enter camp at full strength. The new recruiting system, involving the attestation of (men previously registered for service, has caused an apparent increase in the length of the daily lists, since old recruits and new recruits are presented together But the actual number of new recruits has not 'been ns large as it should be, and some of the men previously- reg'stered have not come forward to take the oath. Their neglect probably means that they are not going to put the'T promises into effect without compulsion Group 5 (Wellington City and suburbs) has been allotted a quota of 252 men for the '22 nd Reinforcements, and the recruits will be mobilised on Tuesday next to enter camp. The nuinb>r of men at present available for the draft is approximately 150, so that 100 additional recruits are still required. Unless the .'ate of recruiting improves materially this week, there will be a shortage on Tuesday next. Any man who really wants to get into camp quickly, whether he is the wearer of an armlet or not, can join the 22nd Reinforcements and get into khaki next week, thereby assisting the Defence authorities to fill thi; month's draft. The threat of a shortage is not confined to Wellington. Reports from Auckland show that the number of men enlisted for the '22 nd Reinforcements in the city and suburbs up to Saturday last was slightly less than '2OO, whereas tlio quota was 405. Auckland will require to enlist 200 men this week in order to fill its draft, and the present rate of recruiting seem.? to offer litth hope that a shortage will be avoided.