NATIONAL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1940, Page 3

NATIONAL SERVICE.

PROCEDURE OUTLINED MEN SELECTED BY BALLOT. OBLIGATION ON ENROLMENT. (By Telegraph.—Prem Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Outlining procedure under the National Service Emergency Regulations, the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, said the register of general reserve—comprising persons over 16—would be compiled from registration forme furnished for the purpose of the social security register. Persons who had so registered would be automatically included in the register and would not be required at this stage to take any further steps in the 'matter, but any" person who had not done so should register without delay.

With regard to certificates of enrolment for reservists, Mr. Fraser explained that when & class or classes had been enrolled their certificates to that effect should reach them within about

14 days, and it would be an offence for an enrolled reservist to be without a certificate 28 days after being enrolled. Certificates must be produced on request to employers, police officers or authorised persons. Reservists of classes the enrolment of whom has been directed may be selected for service with the armed forces by means of ballots, and on being so" selected are deemed to be transferred from the reserve to such forces. A list of reservists drawn in each ballot shall be published in the "Gazette." Method of Appeal. Provision is made for reservists drawn in a ballot to appeal against their being required to join the armed forces, and in certain cases appeals on their behalf may be made by employers or by the Crown or its representatives. Grounds of appeal include undue hardship, incorrect inclusion in a ballot, essentiality of employment and conscientious objection to undertaking combatant service.

Appeals will be held by appeal boards of three members set up by the Governor-General. Successful appellants will be deemed transferred from the armed forces to the reserve, but where an appeal has been allowed on grounds that the appellant is engaged in an essential occupation, he may again be called up for service when leaving that occupation. Recruits will be medically examined in the usual manner, and voluntary enlistment may at any time be discontinued by proclamation, either in respect of specified, districts or throughout the Dominion, or in respect of certain classes or all classes of the reserve. Offences, against the regulations are punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £100, or by both fine and imprisonment.