DEFENCE COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16207, 9 May 1918, Page 2

DEFENCE COMMISSION.

I (PRESS ASSOCIATION- TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, May 8. D. C. W. Cossgrove, Director of Recruiting, stated before the Defence Expenditure Commission that he did not think that any of the 227 employes un 1 , £ P 1 could bo reduced at present. Kef erring to the methods of bringing men to the colours after their names had been drawn in the ballot, the chairman asked: Are clergy essential. 9 Witness: They are accepted as such, ihe chairman: Are school-teachers exempted? Witness: They are not regarded.as essential. They have not taken advantage of the right to appeal. Ihe chairman: And l.oman Catholic clergy and theological students and others have?

. Witness: They can apply to the Minister for acertificate, which is accepted by the Military Service Board as sufnwent evidence of their being essential, and the appeals of such men are adjourned sine die. The Board need not neessarily adjourn such an appeal sine die. Their jurisdiction is not interfered with by the Minister's certificate.

Captain Cossgrove went on to say that he did not consider there was any overlapping between his work and chat of the group commanders in the districts, except under very special circumstances, nor was there too much centralisation in Wellington. He did not agreo with • the estimate submitted to the Commission that it cost the Department over £13,000 as a minimum in about a year, to send out notices to 84.000 men drawn in the ballot. The chairman asked: In a case in which a man has been called in the ballot and asks for leave for an urcrent matter, such as finishing harvesting, do you insist on his proceeding to camp until the Military Service Board is readv to hear his appeal. Captain Cossgrove replied: The man must go to camp.