TOO MANY EXEMPTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16169, 4 March 1916, Page 8

TOO MANY EXEMPTIONS.

i • * MEN AVOIDING SERVICE. EARL OF DERBY ANXIOUS. STRONGER ACTION REQUIRED London, March 2. Speaking in the House of Lords, the Earl of Derby, Director of Recruiting, said he was concerned at the number of official and other exemptions granted to men eligible for Bervice. He did not doubt that men were getting various occupations for which they were quite unsuited in order to avoid service. He suggested that no single man under 31 should be allowed exemption because he was in a reserved occupation. The Government must be prepared for stronger measures if it desired to get the number required. He suggested that single and married men ought not to be considered Starred unless they had held their present position or one of a similar character previous to Augußt 15. He implored the House to take the strongest line on the exemption question and thus have the country at its back. He said he had a profound contempt for the small and insignificant body of members of the House of Commons whittling away the country's military strength. He regretted that „Sjr John Simon's influence had been used for such a purpose. The Earl of Derby stated that spurious medical rejection forms were fetching 40s to 60s each. Although no married men would be conscripted, 130,000 had attested,, including 4500 yesterday.