OVERSEAS BALLOT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 18 November 1940, Page 6

OVERSEAS BALLOT

COMMENCED TO-DAY 14,000 MEN TO BE SELECTED [United Press Association] WELLINGTON. This Day. Approximately one in every five men I in Class A of the first division of the National Military Reserve will have been selected for military service over--1 seas when the first overseas ballot, which commenced this morning, is completed to-morrow. The men selected I will provide the quota required for the Sixth Reinforcements to the Second | N.Z.E.F. It was announced some time ago that there were over 90.000 single men between the ages of 19 and 45 in the first | division of the Reserve, and it is unj derstood that the number between the ages of 21 and 40. the age group for overseas, is about 70.000. As 14.000 men are being selected, those balloted will constitute one-fifth of the class.

The two ballots already held for Ter- , ritorial service included those in Class B —that is those over and under overseas age. The group of men who were called for Territorial service in preI vious ballots and who have been found fit for overseas service will be transferred from Territorial units to the overseas draft. If called in the overseas ballot those selected for overseas service, after having been found fit for Territorial service but who have not started their Territorial training, will not be required to jo into the Territorial camp. Territorials on home service who are in Class A are included in the ballot.

Appeals against Territorial training will not count for overseas service if the appellant is called for such service. Those selected in the ballot now being held will be placed under an entirely different obligation to that created by selection in the Territorial ballot, and if there are ground for appeal a separate appeal must be made.

! Medical examination of the men selected will be carried out as soon as possible after the men have been advised of their selection on 4th December. but as there is still a large number selected for Territorial service to be i examined those for overseas service are unlikely to be examined before | the New Year. All those who have enlisted for overseas services and those drawn in the first Territorial ballot who have been found permamently unfit have been excused from the present ballot. These men have been transferred to the third division of the reserve. Men who have offered their services to the Air Force and who are awaiting selection or medical examination may be drawn in the ballot, but if so the recruits selected should immediately advise the Air Secretary and the area officer in their military district and they then be advised whether or not they have to submit themselves to the Army authorities for medical examination.