NATIONAL SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1917, Page 3

NATIONAL SERVICE

SECOND DIVISION BALLOT. THE OFFIC I A L FIG DEES.

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WELLINGTON, This Day. The Government .Statistician's announcement as to the number of men remaining on the register of the First Dhvhon of the Expeditionary Force Reserve enables ii fairly close calculation to bo made as to how much longer the First Division.will be able to make up shortages in voluntary recruiting fur the vainous drafts. This depends on the number of fit men available in the remaining 59,952 and-upon the number of appeals allowed by the Military Service Boards, Hitherto the authorities, in order to allow for medical rejections and temporary exemptions, have been calling up three men by ballot for every vscany to be filled. Though sufficient time has not elapsed to state definitely whether this is a proper margin the results -appear to be working out in that proportion. In order that no false hopes might be created, however, let it be assumed ior tlio purpose of ascertaining the probable date of the Second Division being called on that the remaining members of the First Division only produce onefourth of tlio number who can. go into camp. Working on this basis it will be found that the balance of the I'irst Division still left should produce 15000 men fit and’ able to go into camp. As the Dominion’s commitments only require us to send reinforcements at the race of 30,000 men per annum so long as the war last the 15000 men will bo sufficient to supply another six draitn. The 28th cluiit, 'going, into camp in April next, is already complete. Tins means that at the most' conservative estimate there are sufficient men left in the First Division to supply, up to the thirty-fourth reinforcements, mobilising in October next. In that event, giving two months notice as is now tne practice’, the first ballot among the members of the Second Division cannot take-place before September, and the men so called up will only be required to-go into camp in too billowing November, With lour mouths training they would sail for the front in March, 1818. This is stating the position on aminimum basis, It has been announced by the Military Service Boards. « however, tluit before the nienibeis ol the Second Division are called-on there will be a thorough “combing out ot the First Division, all cases of exemption being again gone into. It m reasonable to suppose that such 1 combin-' out” will produce sufficient men for another draft, which will postpone the calling nn of tlie Second Division another month, • i Another factor which has direct bearing on these calculations, and j which should not be overlooked, m j that they make no allowance for mem- ] hers of the Second Division enlisting. a Men in drafts spoken of as members ot 0 thc Second Division are regularly en-~-IHb-.r in considerable numbers, and every man doing so replaces a member of the First Division. It wiL be see. i hat if this goes on membership ol tne FiSt Division will be spun out in proportion. It may thus result m Die lirsf ballot required from among mem-bc-rs of the Second Division (to make up shortages due to the failure ol >'•>- 1 hint ary enlistments) not being taken until ilie year 1918. . , ■ i 1,1 ai;v case the position as it s.ands 1 new is that Dm first ballot among memhers of the Second Division m not « likfdv to be taken heiore osptemuei next’ at the very earliest, that it suc.i , a step is talon the men so called up W iii dot require to go into camp before _ Nov- mho, and that if they do so tney ■ wii 1 nor require to sail until. March, < -1013