FIRST BALLOT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 9

FIRST BALLOT.

THE CHRISTCHURCH MEN. INSTRUCTIONS AWAITED BY AUTHORITIES. COPIES OF THE OFFICIAL LIST EXPECTED TO-DAY. i THE APPEAL REGULATIONS. Tho list of men drawn in the first ballot for military service, published yesterday morning, was eagerly read in Christclvurch, but few men whose names appear there attended at the military offices in tho city to make inquiries as to the steps they should take to comply with the demand the country has made on them. There is an impression in Christchurch that tho military authorities in Wellington are finding tho machinery of tho scheme somewhat slower to move than they expected. This impression is created by tho fact that although the list was published in a " Gazetrce Extraordinary" in Wellington on Thursday night the names were not received officially in Christchurch yesterday by either post or telegraph. Neither the headquarters staff for tho Canterbury military district nor the officers ■of the Christchurch group area have received instructions as to communicating with men whose names are in the list, but it is understood that telegrams were sent from Wellington last evening to the men. One clause of tho Act specially provides that a copy o f vimci " Gazette " containing the list shall be posted in a conspicuous place at every post office in the Dominion. The local postal authorities expected to receive copies yesterday, but none arrived. The only announcement in Christchurch, therefore, is the list in the newspapers, which is not official. The postal authorities expect to receive their copies this morning- In that case the list will be immediately posted at the General Post Office and at suburban offices. Captain Northcote, officer in command of the Christchurch group area, also expects to receive copies this morning, together with instructions as to further steps to complete the process of calling up members of the First Division of tho Reserve and transferring them to tho Expeditionary Force. Although men called up need not accept the newspaper lists, as a definite and official instruction, the mere publication of their names in the " Gazette" is conclusive proof that they havo been called up. The Act, certainly provides that the Minister of Defence shall give notice to every mau called up, by a registered letter addressed ■to him at his last known place of abode, that his services are required by the Army; but the Minister does this only " so far as practicable," and any failure to give the notice will not affect tho validity of the act of calling up any particular man. Communication by letter or telegram, in fact, is nothing more than an act of courtesy by the Defence Department. The main point is the appearance of a man's name in the list published in the '! Gazette." Before he actually enters the" ranks lie can appear before the Military Service Board and appeal. If he appeals the board will decide his status. If he does not appeal he becomes a soldier—a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force—automatically on the day following the publication in the "Gaqjtte" of the notice calling him up. No error in the publication of his name, abode or occupation will invalidate the act of calling him up; ,the error may be corrected in a subsequent issue of the " Gazottc," and the original notice then will take effect in its amended form, as from the date of the first gazetting'. Every appeal must be made by posting to the Commandant of the Forces at Wellington a registered letter containing the notice of apnenl, and this notice must be posted within ten days after the day on which the list appeared in the " Gazette." Appeals in the present case, therefore, must be posted not later than Decemlftr 3. Every appeal must state the reasons for appealing. The following grounds are allowed:— (1) That he is irot a member of tho Reserve. (2) That ho is not a member of the particular division or class now called up. (3) That, on account of his occupation, military service by him is contrary to the public interest. (4) That, on account of his domes* tic circumstances or other causes, military service will impose unaue hardship on him or on others. (5) That on August 4, 1914, he was a member of a religious body whose tenots declnxd the bearing of arms and the performance of any combatant service to be contrary to Divine revelation, and that, according to his own conscientious religious belief the bearing of arms and the anco of any combatant service is unlawful, because contrary to Divine revelation. In regard to the fourth ground of appeal it is sufficient evidence if the man who appeals is the solo surviving son of his parents who is of military age) and if at least one of his brothers lias served in tho present war and has lost his life tharc.