THE DEFENCE FORCES

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 61

THE DEFENCE FORCES

By Skntbx

So far very few of the Government armlets are noticeable amongst the young men on the streets. As a matter of fact, not many more than 100 have been issued from the local Defence Oifice. Applications, howover, are beginning to come in in increasing numbers. The need for eligible men to make it clear that they have offered for service is now imperative if they are to retain the respect of their fellows. There are those who have declared that they will not wear a badge. To such it may be pointed out that the purpose of the armlet-wearing is not merely to indicate that the wearer has recognised his duy, but also to indicate and isolato the shirker, who has not qualified for the armlet. Has it occurred to those who may decline to wear the badge that thereby they are shielding the shirker? Then, why anathematise him, and, at the same moment, help him to hide his skulking ? Whilst the badges are not worn, the man who won't fight for his country, his kith and kin, cannot be distinguished from many who have offered their services. But, let the badge-wearing be regarded as a duty by every man qualifying, and the shirker will stand revealed, a fit subject for the scorn of his fellow-men and the contempt of his womenfolk. It is time the skulker was made to feel something of the contempt which at present is privately entertained for him. The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Longservice Medal has been awarded to Corporal John Stewart (band), Bth (ISouthland) Regiment, his total sen-ice to February 22, 1916, From the New Zealand Gazette: —sth Mounted Rifles: Second-lieutenant A. R. Douglas, from the 10th Regiment, to be second-lieutenant, supernumerary to establishment; 12th Mounted Rifles: W. A. Spiers, J. D. Landels, W. J. Keys, C. F. Lucas, to bo second-lieutenants (temporary) during the absence of officers with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces; 10th Regiment: Second-lieutenant (on probation) T. R. Robertson, from the Unattached List (b) to be second-lieutenant (on probation); 14th Regiment: H. Muir, J. Steven. T. D. Pearson, J. R. O. Lochhead, A. J. Thompson, A. F. Duthie, to be second-lieutenants (temporary) during tho absence of officers with tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. Tho sth Mounted Rifles (Ot.ago Hussars) and the Mounted Signal Troop from Oamaru make an impressivo show in camp at Wingatui. Squadrons comprising the sth

Mounted Rifles have provided a muster of 223, and the camp roll of the Mounted Signal Troop is 19. Lieutenant-colonel G. Y\ C. Macdonald is in command, Sergean Meikle having command of the Signal Troop.

In answer to inquiry.—Because a man is less than sft 2in in height enlistment is not hopeless. The medical man has a certain discretionarj' power, and may paes a short man if he is otherwise a good "life." A man under sft 2in, however, would probably be regarded as suitable only for service as driver in the Army Service Corps or the artillery, both of which are full for some time to como. A man minus one or more lingers need not despair. If he demonstrates that his deficiency does not seriously impair his efficiency, he may bo accepted, or, may be, deferred for three or six months, the policy of the department being to send all the fittest men first, and then turn to those next in order of merit in regard to fitness. Unfortunately for the man who has offered and has been "deferred" for a period, a badge is not available. Another to whom an armlet is not issued is the married man who intimates his willingness to go to camp after the single men have been absorbed. This class represents probably about 75 per cent, of the married men who have recently enrolled in Dunedin.

Non-commissioned officers- accompanying reinforcements hold acting rank only, and are liable to revert to the ranks at the discretion -of the G. 0.0. upon absorption into the Main Body at the. front. Men who are sent to carnn as non-commissioned officers on probation for the reinforcements receive Territorial rates of pay as privates for the period of probation, but if, on the expiration of the probationary month, the acting non-commissioned officer rank is confirmed, they receive back pay at the difference between private and their noncommissioned officer rank at Territorial rates for the first month —i.e., in the caso of a sergeant, difference between 4s and ss. After the expiration of the first month expeditionary rate for rank is payable. Backpay, of course, is not payable to a private) who is promoted.