POOREST IN DOMINION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 8

POOREST IN DOMINION

WANGANUI RECRUITING TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING SPORTS BODIES TO BE APPROACHED “Wanganui is giving the poorest response in the Dominion to the call lor recruits," said Captain J. W. Barry, officer commanding No. 6 Area, Wanganui, when the matter was brought forward at a meeting of the Wangnui Territorial Association last night. Everything possible had been done to encourage young men to offer their services for home oefence, he said, but the efforts had met with little success. After consicereble discussion, the meeting decided that all sports bodies in Wanganui should be circularised for recruits, and personal contacts made with the presidents of the various clubs. Mr. N. R. Bain, who presided, said that the number of recruits offering in Wanganui so far was particularly disappointing in view of the relative populations. He compared the attendances expected from the three regiments of the Second Composite Inlantry Battalion at the camp being held at Waiouru from February 18 to 25. The Hawke’s Bay Regiment was sending 150 men, not counting the regimental band, Taranaki Regiment 178, and the Wellington-West Coast Regiment 77. On a population basis the district was not doing its duty.

Men Hard to Get Some of the difficulties officers of the Wellington-West Coast Reriment had to face in securing men to enter camp, were described by Captain R. Gould. He said that his company strength was 68 men and five officers. All the officers were going to camp, but only 38 territorials were going. Of the balance, four were under age, 12 were irregular in their attendance at parades, and 10 had reasonable excuses, such as stress of work. The men were notified of the Waiouru camp months in advance, said Captain Gould, and each parade the roll was purged. Notices were also sent to the men’s homes, and personal contact made with absentees. Captain W. Bassett, officer commanding the machine-gun platoon and mortar section, in endorsing Captain Gould’s remarks, said that out of a roll of 47, for the two units, 23 had attended the first parade this year. He had typed out notices of the camp to all members, but had received few replies. In Captain Bassett’s opinion, more outside prompting was needed. Prostitution of Officers For several years the officers had been making personal contacts with the men, to get them to attend parades and camps, said Captain Barry. It wafc not an officer’s duty to prostitute his position, and it was about time he was relieved of the task.

“This Is a disgraceful state of affairs," said Mr. J. Broad, a member of the Wanganui City Council. “What’s wrong with Wanganui?" A suggestion was made by a member of the association that perhaps the camp was not attractive enough for the public. Captain Barry pointed out that the Waiouru camp was in an ideal and healthy site and its facilities included a picture theatre and canteen. In addition the militarypay for the private soldier was as high as 12s a day. As for the employers, Captain Barry had found that the majority were quite willing to let their employees off for the camp. In his opinion, the blame rested entirely with the youths.

Various suggestions were advanced whereby the number of recruits could be increased. It was finally decided to ask all sports bodies to contribute a certain number.