THE MARRIED MEN'S DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3185, 8 September 1917, Page 7

THE MARRIED MEN'S DIVISION

FIRST BALLOT

CTTESTION vOF PREVIOUS . EXAMINATION

Another statement about the Second llivision was made in the House yesterday by • the Minister of Defence. The matter was raised by Mr. Veitch, who read the following telegram from Wacgaaui: ~-... ..:.-, .^ "Stcond Division League here understand Class A of Second Division balJoted here' next montlj. Urgently i.ifist legislation passed on line of league's proposals before ballot, also immediate arrangements medical examination." Mr. Veitch said that the message showed that there was soma anxiety on this 'matter, and ha would be glad if the Sfinisler would make a statement.

Sir James Allen said ho had seen two member of the league the preceding after- . noon. They had seen' him before to mako a ■■request' that members of theSecond Division should be examined before the ballot. This proposal was carefully examined into, but it had been - found ■ that this ■ could not be done in : -accordance •with the law. But-.ho had informed the members of the league that ■' he' was nnxions' to give as much timeas' possible between the ballot and the time'of calling into camp, a.nd that the best he could do for the Second Divieon inen wa-5; to incTWse, this , period from ' twe months' to three months. In order to do this, it would bo nr-cessarv to hnve a, ballot of''the'First CKsp of the Second Division , in October. Tlie.nitn rirawn would go into camp in .Tamiiny. . g ,T.lic league representatives were not alto- ' gpther satisfied with, this,' because they still clung to the idea, tli'at ihev could .get the medical examination beforethe ballot. But he was sorry to say this could not be done. As to whether legislation would be put'through.this rested with the Government and with Parlianient. The legislation asked for was an amendment of the.Pensions Act. The . Ciover.nment had not yet decided what • should be done, and the. Bill was not,.therefore, before the House. But he hoped thn Bill would he Ihroush Parliament before . the .end of Soptemb*r. The Government would deal with tie mntter at an early date, and he noped that «oon afterwards.- (h« House would -be asked to deal with it. . ALLEGED BREACH OF -TPAITH; : By Telegraph.—PreES AnEociation. . .. '» ~ . Invercarg!ll, September 7.' ..' At an emergency meeting of the Second Division League, , the. executive wired \strong protests to Cabinet Ministers that the taking of a ballot for Class A before jiassing the amended separation allowances .and pensions was a distinct breath of faith." ■' "■;•" "■' .- " : THEC2 BOARft '"'.... PERSONNEL ANNOUNCED." - Surgeon-General Henderson (DirectorGeneral of. Military Services) stated yesterday that the. following have s been .appointed to the- C 2 Examining Board:— Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew, principal t medical officer at Trentham, president'.of 'the board.- ■■■■■■ - ■ •■•■ ' Captain -Hogg, Trentham Camp. Captain Mercer, Featherston Camp. Major Blacket.t, combatant officer (or approving officer). / The board is considered by the authori- . ties to be a strong one. Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew is said to have had considerable experience of the work he will have to undertake.'. Captain Hogg has had., experience in camp and ou various boards. Captain Mercer has had experience inFrance of examining men to ascertain if they were fit for the trenches. . Major Bla:kett has served in England in a capacity similar to that in which lie.is. now to act. ■ ••■ ; There will only be the one board ior the whole of the Dominion; and it willwork from Auckland southward through the country. • " ■ '"■■■-■■ •The business-of-the board is to exam-- ■ ino selected men from the C 2 ranks—the ■ temporarily unfit. In tho earlier singes- ' boards were at times a little doubtful a<; to what constituted military fitness, and they rejected • men; whom up-to-date e.vipenence may indicate are capable of enduring war service. Also, there are men : .whom ■ it is considered could be mnde . fit by a course of training in the camp ' which is being prepared for that, purpose.