HOLIDAYS PREFERRED.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15453, 4 December 1915, Page 12

HOLIDAYS PREFERRED.

1 REGISTERED MEN FAIL TO RESPOND. SERIOUS EFFECT ON THE ELEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS. (press association telegil/lm.) WELLINGTON, December 3. District Headquarters at Palmerston North advised to-day that of seventylive availablo men who were warned to go into camp yesterday only tlurty-five did so, tho balance explaining that they preferred to take their Christmas and New Year holidays. This development raises grave concern regarding the registrations for the Eleventh Reinforcements, and it is evident that pub' lie opinion will need to assert itself if the required number is to be secured by tho 14th inst. The authorities declaro that it is quite impossible to givo tho troops in camp Christmas holidays, as otherwise New Zealand cannot fulfil her engagement- to keep im the firing-line, and, therefore, they hone that the necessary response will be made.

(SPECIAL TO "TJIE PRESS.") PALMEItSTON X., December 3. TV ith regard to the. recruiting deficiency. as far as this coast is concerned, the dairying and .shearing activities are responsible for many eligible men holding back for a while. Moreover, the local Defcnce officers point out that the extra demands made on the district lately have naturally absorbed a large proportion of men who would otherwise be available for the Eleventh Reinforcements. Recruiting will Lav© to be actively pursued to meet requirements. It was also pointed out that the large surplus of men on the books at present for the Army Service Corps, Artillerj', and Engineers, not only here, but in other parts of the Dominion, should consent to be transferred to the Infantry or tho Mounted Iliflqs. In the ordinary course of events these men will have to wait an indefinite length of time

before they will bo required, because at present only specialists in theso threo branches are being taken, whereas those who are signing on as drivers for tho artillery and other branches could join the Mounted Rifles, and their services would bo accepted at once for duty. SERIOUS SHORTAGE IN OTAGO. DEFICIENCY OF 212. (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, December 3. Tho position in regard to recruiting in Otago is more serious than over. The progress return obtained from the Defenco Department to-day shows that whereas the shortage in infantry for the Eleventh Reinforcements was 175 a week ago, to-day tho deficiency stands at 212, this bein<j accounted for by tho fact that men have had to be sent on to mako up tho shortage in Otago's quota in the Tenth Reinforcements. Efforts to. persuade tho men -who hod enlisted in the Artillery, Army Service Corps, and Field Ambulance to transfer to the Infantry have been unsuccessful. The men available for these threo arms of the servico are greatly in excess of requirements, and it is unlikely, that tho over-plus will bo called upon for some considerable time. Only 83 men have volunteered for the Infantry branch of tho Eleventh out of 295 required.

COUNTY COUNCIL'S ACTION. NOTICE TO SINGLE EMPLOYEES. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRASr.) NELSON, December 3. The "Waimca County ♦ Council has given a month's notico to all its single employees who have not. enlisted, unless they have been rejected as medically unfit. The Stoke Fruitgrowers' Association has arranged to properly attend to the orchards of enlisting orchardists.