LIABILITY TO SERVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23810, 11 November 1940, Page 6

LIABILITY TO SERVE

It appears from statements made by the Northland Manpower Committee that some reservists appealing against their call in the territorial ballot have urged their claims, as though they were being drafted for overseas service. Some appear even to think they are liable to be so drafted without further ado. The position In this respect has been made clear a number of times and 0,11 should bo familiar with it. Apparently this is not so, therefore it may be restated. There have been repeated official assurances that the ballots so far held are fffr the purpose of bringing the territorial forces up to strength. The obligation

is to train for home defence, for a continuous period of three months, to be spent in camp for the most I part. When further recruits are required for overseas, there will be ballots for that specific purpose. All territorials within the prescribed age limits tfill be liable to be called for overseas service, but will not, be drafted for it .without a ballot. The need for these explanations, so long after balloting and enrolment, emphasise a grave drawback in the Government's course of establishing liability for military service by regulation, instead of legislating for it. If these requirements had been put into an Act of Parliament, as they could very easily have been —as a similar call on citizens was' in the last war—all the provisions would have been thrashed out in public debate and brought forcibly to the notice of everyone. This is not the weightiest argument for proceeding by statute, not regulation; but it is not the lightest either.