THE CALL FOR MEN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2887, 27 September 1916, Page 6

THE CALL FOR MEN

BIG SHORTAGE NOT COVERED CONSCRIPTION LOOMING NEARER When tho Twenty-first Reinforcements went into camp short by nearly 650 men last week, the authorities instructed tho several military districts to send forward the additional men required on tho nest Tuesday. The supplementary drafts went into camp yesterday and though tho shortage has been decreased it is certain that a substantial deficiency remains. The complete figures were not compiled yesterday, but the state of affairs is indicated by what occurred in Group 5 (Wellington City and Suburbs), where fewer than 35 men were provided towards covering a net shortage of over 80. The group's quota still lacks about 50 men.

The men who went into camp yesterday were as follow: — Artillery: D. Ferguson, G. R. Downes, W. E. J. Smith. Mounted Rifles: W. Baldwin, J. E. Catt, W. R. .Casey, J. C. Henry, A. 0. Roud, O. J. Hodgson, C. H. Hine. Infantry: H. Mulholland, T. C. Morris, P. B. Forrest, D. Davies, A. T. Baker (miner, Reefton), .T. T. O'Gorman, F. Young, M. Hempton, J. Hill, T. W. Hughes, E. Fenton, R. D. Forbes, A. H. Higginson, W. Potter, C. W. J. Aynesloy, P. Crane. Engineers: H. J. O'Sullivan. Infantry N.C.O.'s: W. Dally, C. N. Bradley. Soveral men who went into camp late in the day are not included in this list. Group 5 suffered again from the failtiro of registered men to respond to the mobilisation call. Some men who had been accepted for service and ordered to Teport at tho barracks yesterday. morning, did not appear, and the draft went into camp without them. This experience will not be repeated. All tho registered men on the books of the Defenco Department will bo required tn take tho oath of allegiance under tho new system, inaugurated on Monday, and put into full operation yesterday. Mon who do not take the oath at tho time and place fixed by the military authorities will be struck off the list aud deprived of the status of volunteers. Defence Headquarters has issued instructions that the groups are not to send forward" additional recruits for the Twenty-first Reinforcements at present. The shortage, which is still substantial, can ho covered by tho Reserve sufficiently to ensure tint outgoing Reinforcement drafts shall be at full strength, provided that tho additional men required are forthcoming within tho next few weeks. Tho authorities appear disposed to .rely upon tho speedy operation nf <i:hc compulsory provisions of tho Military Service Act, sinco tho anpeal made for volunteers has not produced an adequate response. The Nov; system. Tho new Recruiting Office opened by the Defence authorities in tho- Town Hall was in full operation yesterday, and some 40 men were dealt with during the day. The office, which is under tho charge of Lieutenant Mellor, is in No. 1 Committee Room, at the northern end <j£ the building, and it is now tho recruiting centro for Group 5 (Wellington City and Suburbs), the old chief recruiting offico at the Buckle Street Barracks having been closed. Men were registered at the Town Hall yesterday under tho new system. A medical officer and a dental officer were in attendance during part of tho day, and men who had been accepted for service were required to take the oath of allegiance. They were then given a warrant for one day's pay and handed a leave pass entitling them to remain out of camp until the date selected by them for the commencement of their service. Men who registered for the first time and woro rejected on medical grounds wore also given tho day's pay, in accordance with the new regulations.

Tho Town Hall Recruiting Office will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. an<l from 7 p.m. to !) p.m. Medical and dental officers will attend for the examination of recruits between the hours of noon and 1 p.m.. and 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Tho office will lio open on Saturday afternoons. AH men wishing to_ enlist in Group 5 should attend at this office, whero the whole process of registration, examination and nttcstation under the now system may be performed expeditiously by members of the Group Staff. Wellington Recruits. The following additional men (registered under tjie old system) havo been' accepted for Service in Group 5:-— W. A. Brown, clerk, City. ' F. Young, labourer, City. M. Hempton, engineer, City. ' G. F. Holloway, clerk, City. H. E. Palmer, clerk, city. W. C. Fiebig, clerk, City. G.' E. Pringie, labourer, City. A. G. Prosser, seaman, City. H. Bell, clerk, AVellington. J. R. Heap, draper, City. N. Freeman, labourer, City. C. F. Adams, motor mechanic, Karori. D. Galloway, miner (returned soldier), City.