THE THIRTEENTHS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4158, 8 February 1916, Page 6

THE THIRTEENTHS.

POINTS ABOUT THE MO SI LISA TION.

MEN HAVE TO SWEAR TO THEIR AGE.

(Pf6ss Association Telegram.! WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. A good deal of interest is being taken in the mobilisation of the 13th -Reinforcements, which is now in progiess. One point which lends particular interest to the raising of this draft is the fact that it is the first force called up right clear of the holidays The December and Januarv drafts went into camp short of men, and tile only explanation offered was the holidays. The February draft cannot have the same excuse made for it if it is short in any great degree, for holidays are not by any means genei al now. However, there is said to be little reason to expect a shortage of any consequence in this current j ch'aft. _ In the last several weeks the four military districts have all done well and. judging by the number of men they have enrolled, none of them should send their quotas forward otherwise than at full strength. If this draft comes forward at or near full strength the fact may throw an interesting sidelight on the oft-lreard question : How far. off conscription are 'ye?. It may indicate that there is life in the voluntary system yet. The men from the Wellington City and suburbs group were to have all paraded at the Buckle Street Drill II all to-day. • Most of the men put in an appearance during the day, but at 6 p.m. the group was still 52“ short of its quota. A shortage for the city was not difficult to predict, owing to an eleventh-hour decision to alter the day of parade. The men had been notified to parade on Tuesday, and a few days ago a change to Monday was announced. Some men. tlierefore ? may come forward to-morrow.

In any case, the Group office says it will have no difficulty in filling the 52 vacancies. The infantry shortage is 35. The chief object in parading the men a day before they were due in camp was to have them put through dental examination, which bad been omitted when the men were being tested as to fitness immediately after their enlistment. When the examination was made only a few men were taken exception to and were thrown out. Those needing dental will receive it in camp. Prior to inspection the men were required to swear on oath that they were of military age. This is a new

departure. It is said to be aimed chiefly at the over-ardent youth who hides his lack of years in order to serve his country, but it applies also to those who are on the other border

of tlio age bounary. It is understood that this is a new departure which will bo .applied throughout the Dominion.

LATEST INFORMATION.

ALL DISTRICT DRAFTS COMPLETE.

I Bv Telegraph—Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. I The latest available information as I to the state of recruiting in New Ze.aJ land is to the effect that every dis- { trict- has obtained sufficient men to I fill its quota for the 13th ReinforceI ments. who go into camp this week. I This includes infantry and mounted. In infantry, the Auckland ‘military district is well over it s quota. Wellington has twice its required number, and Canterbury and Otago both enrolled their quotas. _ However, I infantry and others are still wanted, as the n e xt draft will be going into camp in a month’s time and, moreover, there may yet be some shortages in the drafts now mobilising. The latest weekly list of registration percentages shows Wellington to he doing comparatively well; above its share and the other three districts to be doing comparatively less than their shares. The only high percentage in the South Island is Canterbury’s 47.62 for the Samoa Relief Force.