THE DEFENCE FORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7916, 27 September 1911, Page 1

THE DEFENCE FORCE

POSTING RECRUITS work: commenced yesterday. Tho Wellington Area Groups Committee, appointed for posting the recruits enrolled under tho compulsory military training scheme, met at the Buckle street , Drill Hall yesterday and commenced tho task. Tho record books of all the recruits have to be carefully examined. and the youths selected for tho various branches of tho service- in posting, special attention has to bo paid to employees belonging to tho same him so as to provide that all aro not required for training at the same time. Tho posting was carried on all day, and will bo continued for three or lour days more. Tho results will be submitted to headquarters in tho form of a series of maps for each area group, short explanatory notes being attached where necessary. Each map will show the subdivision of the area group into company, squadron or corresponding areas. The more closely tho drill centres of the various arms are made to coincide, the greater will be tho facilities for training. The final adjustments of the postings will bo made gradually by regimental authorities, who are at liberty to •transfer individuals within their units in order to facilitate attendance at drills and parades. MEDICALLY' UNFIT. A circular from headquarters has been addressed to the principal medical officer in each district, as follows; —‘“The total number of rejections for medical unfitness among Territorials is unusnally low, viz., about 5 per cent. This leaves tho number to be trained far in excess of and an order has been issued from headquarters that the standard of physical fitness must bo raised to exclude fully 33 per cent. To ensure this result area officers have been instructed to examine the record books and mark as unfit all Territorials with any physical defect whatever, including bad teeth. It is hoped by this means to ensure tho retention of only 66 per cent., and if further rejections are necessary. ’to exclude those of unsuitable physique, especially deficient chest expansion—say below 2} inches. The necessary alterations will be made in the record book by the group officers, but the alteration will require to be initialled by the medical officer whose signature appears on tho record. The record books will be returned to you for this purpose, and you are requested to facilitate the completion of tho work by as early attention. as possible. In making the alteration it is an instruction, from headquarters that of the 33 per cent, rejected 5 per cent, be returned unfit for the current year- the rest permanently."