A "ROUND-UP."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17533, 17 July 1917, Page 5

A "ROUND-UP."

POLICE ACCOST RESERVISTS,

ENROLMENT CERTIFICATES DEMANDED.

In Christchurch yesterday the police held what promises to bo the first of many similar "round-ups" in order to discover, if possible, men of military age who have failed to register under the Military Service Act. It may bo stated, though tho fact has been given prominence in thousands of wall-posters for months past, that there is an obligation, under tho Act, upon every man over the ago oi twenty and under the age of forty-six to euroi himself as a nieinOer of the Expeditionary Force .Reserve. Heavy penalties are provided in cases of failure io enrol, and a responsibility' is placed upon employers, under penalty, to assure themselves that every man of military age in their employ is duly enrolled. The. Act further places within the powers and duties of members of the Police Force tho right to demand from any man, at any tiniOj the production of his certificate of enrolment. Whilo it is obvious from the figures published from time to time by tho Government Statistician that only a very small percentage of men can have failed W enrol themselves, it would appear that quite a considerable number of reservists have failed to apply for their certificates of enrolment, and thoso reservists who come within that category aro being made to feel rather uneasy just at present. The procedure of tho Government Statistician's office in respect to enrolments has been to post an acknowledgment of the enrolment to tho reservist's address almost immediately, enbodying a notice to the effect that a proper certificate will be issued at a later date. This certificate is not posted to the reservist's address, but is held for him at the chief post office of his district, which sends him notice that his certificate is awaiting him, and, upon personal application, hands over tho certificate, requiring the reservist to sign the certificate and also to sign a duplicate, which remains in official custody. A great many reservists, it would appear, have been perfectly content with the Government Statistician's first acknowledgment, and have neglected to obtain their certificates, which have accumulated in large numbers at the Christchurch Post Office and other post offices in the Dominion. Tho law requires each reservist to make personal application for his certificate, and possession of a certificate is the only really satisfactory reply which can be made to the policeman when he "bails. up" the reservist in street, theatre or other public place. Yesterday's "round-up" was rather a mild affair. The police did not exercise to the limit tho very wide powers delegated to them under the Military Service Act. The entrances and exits of the various picture theatres and other halls of amusement in the city were patrolled, and a polite request was made to every man apparently within the ago limit to exhibit his certificate. Last evening, after the " round-up had been in nrogress for some hours, a "Lyttelton Times" reporter interviewed some of the police on duty, and gleaned that the eyes of the inquisitors had not been gladdened by a very largo number of certificates. In the general run of cases tho reservist) had to confess either that he had left his certificate at home or that he had not yet received it. In quite a number of cases the Government Statistician's notice of acknowledgment was triumphantly produced. In every case where a certificate in due form was not exhibited the police took the name and address of the reservist, with a view to consulting tho roll and ascertaining whether he is registered. In cases of failure to register- prosecutions will follow.

In Britain the procedure nowadays is said to bo considerably more drastic. Any reservist who fails to produce his certificate is taken to the nearest police depot .and retained there till his family or friends produce the missing document. The New Zealand polico could, if they so desired, adopt similar tactics, but for tho presont, at all events, they are using milder methods. The plain moral, of course, is that every reservist should place his certificate of enrolment! carefully in his pocket-book or pocket, so thai, when the polico make demand upon him he may bo fearless and prepared.

[Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, July 16

In accordance with notice given, squads of policemen to-day visited a number of hotels and other places in tho city and demanded from men apparently of military ago satisfactory proof of enrolment. It is understood tha a long list of names and addresses is in the bands of tho police. ,