MILITARY SERVICE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15699, 19 September 1916, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE.

PAYMENT OF ENLISTMENT

FEE.

WILL IT PREVENT SHORTAGES?

fsraciAt TO "the press.")

WELLINGTON, September IS

j Something liko a record shortage for the 21st Reinforcements is in sight, so at least preliminary reports seem to show. Wellington City and Suburbs Group 13 50 short. Tho figures for this group arc eloquent testimony of tho need for swearing in recruits on enlistment. The number actually required was 191. Knowing from previous experience that all who wero called would not come, the authorities called up 240, all the men registered for the 21st Reinforcements. Only 140 responded to the call. This matter of failuro or refusal on the part of some men to como when called has become almost a scandal. These men sign on, get badges, and apparently have no idea of going into camp. There aro no regulations giving the authorities ' power to demand the return of badges, and tho men who have refused to come when called walk about freo wearing armlets. The authorities make no attempt to get tho badges back until the recruit has failed to answer the summons two, three, or even four times. This will be all changed now-. The payment of an enlistment fee will cost the country a lot of mone3'. but it is considered that the end to bo gained will bo worth the expense. There would appear to bo a danger that the Government might be defrauded by bogus recruits —men who know they must be rejected—coming up to get the enlistment fee. This was pointed out to the Hon. J. Allen to-day, and he replied that this question was being considered. "There will be certain limitations to the payment of this os," he said. "It must not bo supposed that.we promise to pay 5s to anybody who comes along. We will have to take care that the man who knows he can't be accepted will not get his 55."

THE APPEAL BOARDS.

(SPECIAIi TO "THE PEESS.")

WELLINGTON, September 18. The Recruiting Board came to decisions at a meeting to-day concerning the appointment of Military Service Boards, but no announcement was made as to what the decisions were. The Minister of Defence said that the appointments had virtually been made, but he could not make any announcement until he knew whether the gentlemen appointed would act.

EXEMPTION OF FIREMEN

URGED.

"A National duty."

The t Christchurch' Fire Board last night received frpm the Diinedin. X ire Board, a copy of a letter addressed by the chairman of that Board- (Mr T. Chalmers) to the Minister of Munitions, urging him to consider the question of exempting permanent men of the . Fire Brigade from military service on the following grounds:—

"(1) That the service performed by the Fire Brigades in the chief centres is a national service, protecting as they do factories and warenouses manutaoturing and storing munitions essential to tno JWxpeditiouary Force." • l (.'J) 'JL'nat tne service is not ono that can bo undertaken by men under or over military age, nor by men physically unht tor military service. Our men are only enrolled if between 21 and 8:!: years of age, and passed as fit by our examining surgeon, the service calling for almost exactly the same qualities of nerve and endurance as the firing-line.'' "(3 Tnnt a fireman cannot be trained merely by drill and exercises; actual experience at fires is necessary, and as the brigade is only of a numerical strength'of 21 permanent men, and nine have enlisted and gono to the frout, it follows that it is already unduly weakened." "The men arc not shirkers," Mr Chalmers proceeds, "and it lias only been by pointing out the view herein expressed that they were serving their country more effectually by remaining to guard essential industries, that more have not enlisted. ... It may be said, why should «-o not enrol married men? But the answer to tuat is that we cannot possibly house them and their families on the station, nor do our finances permit of paying such an increased wage as would be necessary for the husband to maintain himself on the station and his family elsewhere."

Finally, tho letter suggests that if the Minister cannot sec his way to exempt all permanent firemen, that he will at least exempt motor-drivers. The chairman (Mr H. Holland) said this was an important matter. He bolieved tho War Office at Home exempted firemen from active service.

Mr H. R. Rusbjidpro contended that the work of a fireman was a national duty. It was decided to endorse the letter.