The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 25, 1916.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4406, 25 November 1916, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 25, 1916.

The most interesting item of news in tins morning’s issue “Called Up!’’ is the list of men from this district who have been selected by ballot to serve in the Expeditionary Force*. It will be noted that* hi all, -the names of 272 local men were drawn in the first ballot held in accordance with the compulsion law. All the names duly appear in an official Gazette which was published on Thursday evening, and which may be seen in due course at all post offices. In the meantime the men now liable for service have had forwarded to them a telegraphic notification as under:- —

“Take notice you have been selected by lot for service with the Expeditionary Force by ballot Gazetted 23rd instant. Notice and form of appeal follow by registered post.”

The selected men are. it will be seen, very representative in character. Hardly a branch of business, industrial or pastoral life, has not one or more representatives on the list. Unquestionably the ballot has been no respector of personsin so far as the employment followed by members of the First Division is concerned. Baker and butcher, clerk and shopman, fa rm hand and station owner —men in all walks of life have been called tip. The list includes even a school-boy, a student, and a clerk in holy orders. It does not, of course, follow that all who have been called will finally he chosen for act-ice service. On the list, for instance, appear the names of quite a number of men who, at an earlier date, offered t“ serve their King and Country Mit who failed to pass the medical test. What is also disclosed is that some men who lately voluntarily offered their services and were accepted are those called up. It may also happen that perhaps more than one accepted recruit does not appear ‘‘starred" in the full list which is published this morning. Any man who has been called up will, of course, be allowed, to appeal if he so desires. In this regard there may even be on rife list names of men who do not really belong to the First Division at all. Wlmt may also be the position in other cases is that it would amount to hardships it' certain were compelled to go to the war straight away. Nobody can say whether there may be few or many claims for exemption. It can he taken for granted that the authorities will not delay more than js necessary in having all appeals heard. The long awaited day of conscription has, therefore, now arrived and, with its advent, no further difficulty will be experienced in securing full drafts to go into training at the required dates.