MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 881, 6 December 1916, Page 9

MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

MANY APPEALS RECEIVED. NO TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS TO BE GRANTED. [Special to The Sun.J WELLINGTON, December 5. The period allowed for appeals on the part of the men selected by ballot for service with the expeditionary force expired on Monday. The reservists concerned were allowed to post their appeals, addressed to the Commandant of the Forces in Wellington, up till Monday evening, and the letters may continue to arrive for several days from distant parts of the Dominion. It seems likely that the final count will show that of the 4000 odd men selected by ballot about half have given notice of appeal on one ground or another. The hearing of the appeals will be undertaken as quickly as possible. The men who have not appealed will be called up for medical examination at early dales, and many of them should be ready to enter camp with the 24th Reinforcement at the beginning of next month. Some reservists who claim to be unfit for military service are asking if they may apear before the proper boards at once and secure certificates of exemption, thus relieving themselves from further liability. The defence authorities give a definitely negative answer to this suggestion. No reservist will be exempted, even temporarily, until he lias enlisted, or has been selected for service under the Act. The Military Service Boards are very busy, and they must deal with cases as they arise. It is obvious, moreover, that a man who proved to be unfit for service now might be fit when he was called up a year hence, or the.authorities might have discovered in the meantime some branch of home service in which lie could be employed with advantage to the State.