The recruiting authorities throughout the country on Monday received some important instructions from the War Office.
These instructions refer to an immediate recruiting canvass of men, eligible for military service, who have not been “starred.” There is nothing in the instructions to indicate the meaning of “starred,” but presumably the word refers to those men of recruiting age who, though their names appear on the “pink forms” as suitable subjects for enlistment, are yet held exempt because they are engaged in some one of the rather numerous trades scheduled as war trades.
In this category would be included not only munitions-making, but work on the railways and “Government work” generally. The text of the instructions is as follows : —
As it is evidently the duty of every man who has not been starred to at once join the Army, he being no longer required for necessary services in his country, you are to take whatever steps you consider most effective to induce such men to join the Army. In carrying out this you will doubtless be assisted by the local authorities.
You should see in your district that no un-starred man is able to complain any longer that he is not wanted in the Army as he has not been fetched.
You should report the number of non-starred men in your district who refuse to five their services to the country by enlisting in the Army, where they are so much needed.
