THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1942. SYSTEM OF BALLOTING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3080, 9 February 1942, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1942. SYSTEM OF BALLOTING

THE decision in future to cal married men to the colours in age groups instead of in accordance with the number of their children means a substantial revolution in recruiting methods and a readjustment of plans by a large number of people. Previously, most married men hac some idea of the time when they would become liable to render military service because of the number of their dependents; now their age is the ibasiss on which they must make their calculations and arrange their affairs. Even this will be uncertain until the group divisions have been announced. A fresh classification order has been promised for the near future. In following the methods adopted in some other countries New Zealand has certainly chosen a system which is justified on the grounds of efficiency. The Army needs younger men, while industry generally requires skilled men who are mostly to be found among the slightly older groups. To a point that is sound policy, and its advantages have, in the opinion of the Government, outweighed certain obvious difficulties. The cost to the Government of maintaining a large number of dependents will be greater, but cost is not the only or the chief factor to be considered in the present emergency. The degree of hardship also may be greater, and that is an aspect that. will require careful consideration by the authorities. Some comparatively young men have large families, though in general the classification will operate reasonably equitably. In cases of particular difficulty the provision made for appeals could be employed to eliminate undue hardship. Always the most painful aspect of recruiting for war service is the separation of men from their families, who must be left to fend for themselves on meagre allotments from the pay of the soldiers. For reasons which have never been explained satisfactorily the remuneration of the soldier can seldom be compared . reasonably with that of the civilian. The hardship falls not upon the soldier himself so much as upon the dependants he leaves at home. Service in the field is rendered much more ac-

ceptable to the soldier if he knows that his family is receiving adequate care. The responsibility falls upon the Government to ensure that dependants of soldiers receive fair treatment and upon society in general to ease the cares of soldiers’ wives and children. When the call comes to men with families this responsibility will be greatly increased.