REINFORCEMENT DRAFTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 22, 25 July 1918, Page 8

REINFORCEMENT DRAFTS

MEN IN THE LAST BALLOT.

Reservists drawn in the last ballot will be summoned for medical examination at once, and in Wellington the work of examination will have been completed in a fortnight or three weeks. Men examined up to the end of .next week, roughly about half those dTawn, will, if fit, be posted to the draft mobilising in November, since this will give them the usuaf twelve weeks' notice. The balance of fit recruits will bo posted to the next (succeeding draft., In ordinary circumstances this draft would mobilise in December, but there is eve-ry probability, in view of the rate of reinforcement' having been reduced for the time being, that the December draft will be dropped. This much has, in fact, been publicly stated, though i not positively affirmed by the authorities. Apart from the reduction of reinforcements it is convenient, if a draft is to be missed, that the December one should bo dropped, as the Christmas holidays follow closely upon- the mobilisation, and the training is thereby interrupted. As to what will be done after December no definite information can be given at present as there are many factors calling for consideration. With regard to eariler drafts—mobilising in August, September, October, and November—it is considered certain that there will be no reduction in the' present strengths, and that men summoned will not have their mobilisation deferred. The Minuter ha-s. stated that the men can be accommodated in the camps, so as to be available as reinforcements, whether the numbers required are large or small. i . . .