FIRST DIVISION.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 34, 4 May 1917, Page 5

FIRST DIVISION.

ABOUT 59,000 LEFT. A return prepared by the Government Statistician at the conclusion of the Sixth Ballot on April 12th shows that there were still 48,064 men left in the First Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve. At the conclusion of the Fifth Ballot the total was 55,119. The total number of First Division mon thus disposed of by way of voluntary enlistment and in the Sixth Ballot during the four-weekly period was 6755. Assuming that this rate of exhaustion continues —6755 First Division men per four-weekly period—it is evident mat there arc sufficient men left in the First Division for still another seven drafts, or up to and including the :’.7th Reinforcements, mobilising in December next. In addition, at tho exhaustion of the First Division by ballot, there will bo a revision of exemptions granted —which, it is calculated, will supply another two drafts. This means that there is little likelihood of members of. the Second Division being balloted for before January or February of the next year, and they will then bo given two mouths' notice. Tho position, of course, cannot be forecasted accurately, being dependent upon the rate of voluntary enlistment of members of both the First and Second Divisions, the number of fits obtained, and tho exemptions granted by tho iaililtary Service Boards,