APPEALS FOR EXEMPTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 16

APPEALS FOR EXEMPTION

ADDITIONAL BOARDS TO BE APPOINTED. (Fnoii Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 17. “Wo are going to increase the number of military service boards from four to eight,” said the Minister of Defence (the lion. Mr Allen) to-day. “ There has been a certain amount of congestion in connection with appeals during the entire stages of the scheme, and wo wish to avoid anything of the kind in the future. We have already created two additional medical boards, and wo propose to add two more. The additional boards may not bo required when the scheme is in full working order, and all accumulations of work have been cleared away, but they will bo retained if there is work for them to perform.” The Minister added that experience had shown the date of the ballot to be too near the date of mobilisation. The interval was four weeks, and as each recruit had to be allowed at least a fortnight to arrange his own affairs there was not enough time for the necessary administrative work in the hearing of appeals and the conducting of the medical examinations. He had decided, therefore, to extend the period between tho ballot and the mobilisation to eight weeks. The change would involve drawing a double number of names at the next ballot so as to cover two reinforcements, one due to be mobilised four weeks later and the other eight weeks later. Tho subsequent ballots would all be eight weeks in advance of tho mobilisation of the reinforcements for which the men are drawn. The public should understand clearly that tho drawing of a double number of names would not mean an increase in the number of men required. The change would simply give reservists more notice that their services were required. WELLINGTON, January 18. The Minister of. Defence states that after summing up the position regarding the Military Service Boards, tho Medical Boards, and the ballots, ho has decided to sot up two more Military Service Boards, in addition to the four announced yesterday, making 10 in ali. to clear up arrears of work. They would thus be able to clean up everything by next ballot. Magistrates are not available to preside at all of those, but loading legal men will be appointed whore needed. Two more Medical Boards may also be necessary.