THE CALL TO ARMS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15775, 16 December 1916, Page 8

THE CALL TO ARMS.

FIRST BALLOT MEN

RESULT OF MEDICAL TEST»

On Wednesday G2 of the men called up under the first ballot were medically examined in Christchurch. The result was disappointing, for, in spito of the statement that the stringent medica] test had benn considerably relaxed, only 14 men were passed as fit for active service. Under- the new medical regulations men are classified into four main divisions, viz.(a) Fit for active service ; (b) fit for active service after undergoing specific, medical, surgical, or dental treatment by (1) operation in camp or public hospital, (2) after recovery at homo; (c) men permanently unfit for active service beyond the seas but (1) might bo made fit after further training and (2) otherwise: (d) permanently unfit. Class C embraces men fit for homo service. The result of Wednesday's mcdiciil examination was as follows: — Class A H Class 131 2 Class 2 « Class D Total ••• The result, is that, counting in both the fit and temporarily unfit for activo service, only 16 men havo been secured as the result of the first examination, or only a little over 2o per cent, of the total examined. As voluntary recruiting has now entirely ceased, it means that, if these figures aro a criterion of subsequent medical examinations, out of the <3500 members of tho First Division in the Christchurch group area, only some 1600 are available for active service, in which case tho division will be exhausted inside of six months, eveJi if no exemptions are allowed, and it is probable that there will bo a number of these. A further batch of men is to be examined to-day, "and after the numerous appellants havo had their appeals adjudicated upon they also will be examined.