OBLIGATIONS ABROAD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9526, 7 December 1916, Page 5

OBLIGATIONS ABROAD

MUST Be FULFILLED

MILITARY S ERVICE ACT TO BE EAIFORCED.

A statement urith .regard to tho Military Service Act was .made by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) to a “’Zimcs” representative yesterday. “Tho Act,” he (laid, “was placed upon the statute book by Parliament last session, and under it provision is made for the continuation of the principle of voluntary enlistment. Voluntary enlistment, however, may bo ended under the Act by a proclamation approved in the Executive CouncilThe Act also provider, for the creation of tho Reserves anti the calling up of men by ballot for iiervice in districts where the voluntary principle has not provided a sufficient number for any particular reinforcement draft. “There can be no doubt about the will of Parliament, boejiuse the division on tho second reading:, of the bill was 49 votes to 5, and tho division on the third reading, taken in. the early hours of tho morning, was d't to 4. In the Upper House the bill was passed without any division at all on tho second or third reading. I desire it to be clearly understood that the Government intend to carry out the will of Parliament.

BALLOT THE FAIREST AVAY.

“Tho Military Service Act was placed upon the statute book to enable Now Zealand to fulfil its obligations to the men who rife serving at tho front, and to the Empire and her Allies. It' was placed upon tho statute book to enable us to win tho war and obtain a lasting; peace. Tho ballot provides tho fairest way by which men can bo selecte d to'fight for their country in its direct need. All honour to the men who have volunteered but the time has come when many men find it difficult to judge whether their turn has come,. The ballot is tho fairest process to assist them in deciding* There is no’’ discrimination. Rich and poor alike have to come. The only method by which men may bo exempted from service is, tiro method provided by the Military Service Act—namely, by notice of appeal to the Commandant in order ..that tho case may be heard by tho Military Service Board. . '. • , . ' ... “This is a time m which unity is strength, and f ask for tho united ef-fort-of all the people of New Zealand to assist the Government in carrying out tho provisions of the Military Service Act. It must be clearly understood that the will of Parliament has been undoubtedly expressed,, wid tho Government arc bound to coxry out that .will, and will do so. THE QUESTION OF APPKALS.

“AA'ith regard to appeals,” added the Minister, “the public know, of course, that either the man himself / whoso name is drawn at tho ballot or Inis cm■ploye.i; may appeal, and that the appeals have to be sont to tho Commandant at Defence headquarters, Wellington, who forwards them to the boards concerned. There arc some w-orkers who have no regular employers, such as seamen, and .' slaughtermen, and perhaps some shearers, and in these cases tho secretaries of their respective unions have been put in the position of employers for the purpose of Riving notice to appeal. The lists of tbo:sp selected by tho ballot are widely distributed throughout New Zealand, and all men and employers interested are advised to carefully watch these lists.”