PRUNING THE TERRITORIALS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1242, 26 September 1911, Page 4

PRUNING THE TERRITORIALS.

FULLY 33 PER CENT. TO BE EXCLUDED. Apparently the military census whicH has just been completed of all .Youths who arc. eligible by age, and returned as medically fit for service in the New Zealand Territorial Army, has given the Defence authorities more men than they require, as would appear from tho following circular which has boon addressed to the principal medical officer in each military district:— "Tho total number of rejections for medical unfitness among Territorials is unusually low, viz.—about 5 per cent. This leaves tho number to bo trained far iu excess of requirements, nnd an order Ill's been issued from headquarters that the standard of physical fitness must b» raised to exclude fully 33 per cent. To ensure this resujt area officers have been instructed to examine tho record books -and mark as unfit all Territorials with any physical defect whatever, including bad teeth. It is hoped by this means to ensure tho retention of only 66 per cent., ajid if further rejections are necessary, to exclude thoso of unsuitable physique, especially deficient chest expansion—say, below 2j inches. The necessary alterations will be made in the record book by tho group officers, but tho alteration will require to bo initialled by the medical officer, whoso signature appears on tho record. Tho record books will be returned to you for this purpose, and you are requested to facilitate tho completion of the work by as early attention as possible. In making Ihe alteration it is an instruction from headquarters that of the 33 per cent, rejectecf, 5 per cent, be returned unfit for the current year, thu rest permanently." Owing to tho absence in Christehurch, yesterday of the General Officer Commanding tho Forces (Major-General A. J. Godley, C.H.), official amplification of the above' circular is, in the meantime, deferred. It will be remembered, however, that the whole question of the. of probable rejections on the score if medical unfitness was thoroughly discussed in Parliament la*t year, and n consensus of competent opinion in the House pointed to a percentage, of 33 or thereabouts. , It is understood that some recently-dis-closed defect in the Defence Act has made it impossible to proceed against iiersons refusing to comply with the instruc,I ions to present themselves for the medical examination, but that tho compulsion can bo applied when 4ho order goes forth for the youths to fall iu for drill. Compliance with this latter order can be insisted upon. This probably accounts for the recent cassation of military prosecutions, although it doe.s not explain the reason of the. cessation of prosocutioiu; for non-registration, a prior obligation to medical inspection,.