WELLINGTON'S QUOTA

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 55, 6 March 1916, Page 8

WELLINGTON'S QUOTA

PARADE 47 MEN SHORT.

It has become customary, whenever the Wellington quota for a Reinforcement is called up, for it to parade short. As these shortages at first were comparatively trifling, no great concern was expressed by the recruiting officers, but during the past few months the numbers failing to parade have been more pronounced. This morning, Avhen the local quota for the 14th Reinforcements paraded at the Drill Hall for dental examination they were 47 short. The following table shows the actual position: — Required. Paraded. Short. Mounted Rifles ... 37 37 — Artillery 16 16 — Engineers ... 9 9 — Signallers 3 3 — Infantry 139 92 47 A.S.C 4 4 — Totals ... 208 161 47 The whole of the shortage was thu6 in the Infantry, the fighting arm that has done so much to make New Zealand's reputation on Gallipoli. The Infantry quota, it was known, would be short, the group having only secured 108 towaj'ds the required number. Of these 10k notified, however, sixteen failed to respond, Avhich increased the shortage

forty-seven. The shortage is regarded a 6 serious, because all Wellington has been asked to do is only its fair share upon the results of the National Registration. It is evident, therefore, that many eligible men are hanging back longer than they need to, and the call is made to them to make up the city's quota for the 14ths at once. They Avill be able to do this by enlisting tonight, or* a.t the Drill Hall to-morrow morning, when medical officers Avill be in attendance to examine recruits.

It is hoped also that many of those men Avho are down on the Avaiting list for artillery, etc., will transfer at once to the infantry. At present, for the artillery alone, there are sufficient on the waiting list to fill requirements for another two yeaus or more. Many o! these men have been informed of the actual position.

The Wellington quota will go into camp to-morrow morning. Men desiring to join the 14ths, therefore, should lose no time about it