SHEARERS AND CONSCRIPTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 866, 18 November 1916, Page 10

SHEARERS AND CONSCRIPTION.

Very few Australian shearers have come to New Zealand for the shearing season which is now in progress. One reason for the absence of the great number of these men is a fear that if they came to New Zealand they would be liable to conscription. A statement made yesterday by the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, shows that the position is not what is feared by the Australian shearers. Mr Russell pointed out that section 33 of the Military Service Act provides, inter alia, that any person who at any time after the Governor has proclaimed the enrolment of the reserve, becomes, during the present war, a member of that division or class by attaining the age of 20 years or "by becoming resident in Ne v Zealand," shall within M days apply to be enrolled in the reserve. "On the advice of the Crown Law Office," continued Mr Russell, "the Department of Internal Affairs does not regard a man who conies to New Zealand for the purpose of carrying on his avocation as a slaughterman or a shearer as one who has become resident in New Zealand, provided he brings with him credentials which satisfy the department that he has come for a particular purpose, such, for example, as to act as a shearer or a slaughterman, with the intention of returning to fulfil his avocation in Australia." Mr Russell added that permits were issued to enable men to return to the country to which Lhey belonged, and the Australian and New Zealand Governments were working together in this matter.