COMPULSORY SERVICE.

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

COMPULSORY SERVICE.

BALLOT STILL IN PROGRESS. SHOULD BE COMPLETED TO-DAY [Special to The Sun.] WELLINGTON, November 17. The taking of the first ballot under the Military Service Act was 1 continued throughout to-day, but the I Government Statistician and his assistants did not succeed in completing the operation. Twenty-six draws were taken during the day, and at 0 p.m., after the last draw, four districts were still in the ballot, and about 100 additional names were required. Another half hour's work might possibly have provided the names, but on the other hand there obviously was a possibility that chance would prove capricious and that the marbles would have to rattle in the barrel many times before the last of the recruits was sellected. The girl assistants, who had I worked hard since 9 a.m., were | weary, and the presiding Magistrate I (Mr S. E. McCarthy) decided that I the proceedings should be adjourned I until 9 o'clock on the following ! morning. The machinery of the l ballot moved more swiftly fco-day than on Thursday, but the proportions of "blanks" among the 104 cards produced by each draw increased as one district after another secured its full number of recruits and dropped out or the ballot. At 5 p.m. seven districts still needed men, but the ballot necessarily continued to cover the whole of the First Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve, and a majority of the cards raised when a number was called belonged to districts other than the remaining six. The unwanted cards were regarded as "blanks," and were turned down again. The number of "live" cards produced at a draw fell as low as 20, and there seemed everv probability that it would go lower still before the end was reached. Some slight changes in the procedure shortened the time required for each draw, by relieving the Magistrate of some of the mechanical wo'-k connected with the cards. It is expected that the ballot will be ; completed some time to-morrow morning. The transcription of the names on the chosen cards has kept pace with the draws, a small staff of assistants being employed at this task; but a great deal of work will remain to be performed after the last card has been drawn. The names of selected recruits will all be checked carefully, first by the Government Statistician's staff, and then by the Base Records, with the object of ensuring that the list is an accurate copy of the names on the cards drawn in the ballot, and that it consists of men actually liable for service. No name will be removed from the list if it corresponds with the card, but the officials are prepared to find that some of the men drawn are already in the forces, and in such cases the names will.be given some special marking on the list. Only when the process of checking has been completed will the Magistrate certify to Its accuracy. Then the Government Statistician will forward it to the Government for publication in the Gazette. The names of men who have volunteered for service, and have been declared medically unfit will be "starred" in the list, but these men will be required nevertheless to submit themselves for medical examination with the other recruits. If they are found to be fit now for service they will be taken into camp. The propriety of taking the ballot in public on future occasions has been suggested in some quarters. The authorities considered this point some time ago, and thought of holding the present ballot in the Wei-; lingfon Town Hall, where the citizens could have watched the pro-! ceedings from the gallery, but the; difficulties in the way of taking the • ballot anywhere but in the room; where the records of the Expeditionary Force Reserve are stored were recognised to be very great, and the temporary transfer of the records to the Town Hall would have been awkward and possibly dangerous. The ballot has not been taken in camera. The Mayor of Wellington, the President of the Trades and Labour Council, and the representatives of the newspapers have been present throughout the proceedings, and have been free to watch every detail, and put any manner of question.

The ballot has taken more time Ihan was originally anticipated, and it may be impossible to publish the names of the selected recruits before Wednesday. After the issue of the Gazette containing the full list, the district lists will be shown for general information at the post offices.

The Medical Boards and the Military Service Boards will begin their part of the work as quickly as possible after the publication of the names, in order that the recruits required to cover the shortages in the camps may be made available for training without unnecessary delay.