THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13097, 4 May 1911, Page 1

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

PROGRESS OF ENROLMENT,

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, May 3

Up to Saturday last 15;035 persona between the ages of 14 and 21 had registered under the new defence scheme. In the last few days forms have come in more numerously than .heretofore, 'nit better progress will be required if complete registration is to be effected before the 2nd of June ;

The registrations effected in the different military districts up to the end of the week were as follows: Auckland territorials 1,110, senior cadets 1,774; Wellington, 2,207 and 3,878; Canterbury 1/227 and 2^330; Otago 1,209 and 2,020; totals: Territorials 5,833; senior cadets 10,002. These figures take no account of territorials and senior cadets at present serving under the old order of things. On rough calculations made at head-quarters, the territorials and senior cadets at present serving will account for aaofchr* 17,500 (12,000 territorials, and 5,500 senior cadets). Registration of these units is done automatically through tlie companies.

It will accordingly be seen that up to the present approximately 33,335 persons liable to serve under the new scheme have been accounted for. As the defence authorities estimate that 71,000 arc actually liable for service, over 37,000 forms have still to come in before the 2nd June After that date those who should have registered and have not done so will b# liable to prosecution.

Each week the 56 area sergeants who are at present controlling the work of registration report to the Officer Commanding the district, and the latter in turn reports to head-quarters During the next two weeks a compilation embracing the whole country will be made, and it will then bo possible to estimate roughly the laggards who will have to register in the final days. As soon as tho returns arc completed the work of examination will be proceeded with. Colonel Purdy, Director of Medical Services, will have the assistance of four district P.M.O.'s in this very important work.

Major Macintosh, of the Wellington Battalion, has resigned his commission. Major-General GodJey, Commandant of the Forces, is due back in Wellington from Auckland on Monday.