THE BALLOT SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 4

THE BALLOT SYSTEM

DEFAULTERS' LIST

Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) supplied an Otago Daily Times reporter with some interesting information with xespect to the number of defaulters since the "ballots commenced. Up to- 2nd February last 93,674 men had been drawn in the ballots, of whom 9001 were reckoned as defaulters—that is, they could not be found. Five thousand eight hundred and fifty-one of'the men have eince been found; 2497 cases are still under investigation, and many of the men will be found; and 653 warrants are in the hands of the police. Three thousand one hundred and filty men, therefore, remain to be found or arrested.- Many are found without the necessity of gazetting. For instance, oat of the 5851, no fewer than 4351 were found without gazetting. Such men are those whose location is found by. enquiry, and who are secured and sent into camp. They also include men at sea, in hospitals, in prison, deceased, etc. The total number gazetted is 2450, and the majority of the men have been located. Up to date, of the defaulters who have been found, 2509 have feeefc brought wp tox medical exa7mnatioT.s, and the fit nien among them have been sent to camp. The following figures with reference to defaulters who have been secured explain themselves:— Found as a result of investigation •prior to gazetting 4351 Found as a result o£ gazetting ... 1500 Total 5851 Medically examined and sent to camp 1029 Unfit : 1480 Already serving 936 Left New Zealand 645 Located in New Zealand (including men in hospital, in prison, deceased, seamen, miners, overage and under-age men, and othep) ...,.,". 1761 Total 5851 The total number of warrants issued up .to 2nd February was 1260, and under these warrants 333 men had been arrested, while 274 warrants have been withdrawn, leaving 653 still 'A comparative return of the position in September last and in February is as follows:— Up to Up to Sep., Feb., 1917. 1918. Number of defaulters ... 5799 9001 A dissection of these totals shows :— Found 1 2944 5851 Under investigation ... 2560 2497 Warrants issued 295 653