SERVICE BALLOT

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 76, 26 September 1940, Page 13

SERVICE BALLOT

COMPLETION TODAY

The smooth working of the scheme arranged by the National Service Department for the selection of men for military service has led to unexpected progress in. the drawing of the first 16,000 names. When the balloting was commenced on Tuesday the Director of National Service, Mr. J. S. Hunter, said that the work would have to be completed in four days so that the notices could be sent to the men selected by the time their names were gazetted next Wednesday. Mr. Hunter said today that no difficulty would be experienced in finishing the drawing this rfternoon as the staff at work was progressing with the regularity and sm - othness of a machine.

The original aim of 4000 names a day to supply the 16,000 names required to provide 6000 men for the Territorial Forces was exceeded on the first day, Tuesday's total being 4800. Even better progress wa- made yesterday, when 2000 men were selected from the Hamilton district, 1900 from the Wellington area, 750 from Wanga-nui-Manawatu, and 1000 from Hawke's Bay a total of 5650 for the day. The first two days having provided 10,450,' the remaining 5550 were begun this morning. One thousand required for Taranaki were drawn in good time and the 750 from Nelson-Marlborough did not take long. A start was then made on the 1900 required for Canterbury and shortly after lunch only the Otago and Southland quotas were left for drawing.

The good progress made will give the staff of the Department a better opportunity to complete the posting arrangements for the 16,000 notices that are to be sent to the men drawn.