YOUTHS IN BALLOT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 248, 30 July 1943, Page 6

YOUTHS IN BALLOT.

THEIR MILITARY OBLIGATIONS STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 29. “Smne misunderstanding appears to have arisen in regard to the military service of youths of 18 who were called up in the Gazette released this week,” said the Minister of National Service (the Hon. A. McLagan) tonight. These youths, he said, would not be required for full-time service in the Territorials until they reached 20 years of age; but they would be liable to he called upon to perform a month’s camp training a year, and out of camp training with territorials. While they would he medically examined as soon as possible, it was not possible to say just when they would be required to enter camp for the month’s training; hut it was expected that recruit training camps would he opened shortly. The Minister also explained that, apart, from the fact that training would not commence immediately, a number of these youths would not be selected for training because of the essential nature of their employment, and it was essential that they should remain in their present positions until they were required to enter camp. Selection committees, said the Minister, would be appointed in each Manpower Office district to select from the clases of persons eligible for a month’s territorial training those who could be called into camp with the least interference to the performance of essential production and services. It was expected, in view of the vital importance of food production, that no farmers or full-time farm workers would be selected for territorial training. If persons selected for training had a good reason for not entering camp, they and their employers would be able to place the position before the Armed Forces Appeal Boards.

Grades I and II men who had attained 20 years of age were now being called up for full-time service, and appeals for postponement should be lodged without delay. The mobilisation of 20-year-old men would not result in any increase in the reduced home defence establishment recently approved by the War Cabinet; but would enable the Army to release for industry some older and more experienced men, particularly married men with families, whose release at present was held up because replacements were not available.