THE TERRITORIALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7852, 14 July 1911, Page 9

THE TERRITORIALS

PRACTICALLY NO "REJECTS.” SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES.* CHRISTCHURCH. July 13Tho medical examination of tho young men who have been registered'under the new Defence Act is at present in progress every evening this week. A large number of those who are eligible to serve under the colours have, in accordance with instructions, presented themselves at the Defence Office, where they have passed through the hands of the medical officers. Up to tho present there have been practically no "rejects," although some 203 lads have passed through the ordeal. In one or two cases, however, it has been found necessary to order a youth to "stand down" for a few months,' owing to some defect the nature of which was too pronounced for him to be drafted into the Territorials at the present stage.

Speaking to a "Press" representative, one of the medical officers engaged in the examination said that, taken all round, the physique of the young men was excellent. It had come as a surprise to him to find that such a few had to be "turned down" (to use his own expression), This was very different to tho state of affairs prevailing h few years ago, when recruits were being examined for service in tho Boer war; then about two out of every five recruits failed to "pass" the censor.