TERRIORIAL DEFAULTERS

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13738, 2 June 1913, Page 7

TERRIORIAL DEFAULTERS

STATEMENT BY GENERAL

GODLEY

[United Puess Association.]

WciH/ctcn. May 31

Interviewed on the matter of shirkers under the Territorial system, General'Godley said the difference between the number of young men who had registered, and the nu,mber who wore ac-

tually training was soniething in tlie region of 11,000. The discrepancy can be explained by the fact that some" of those who have been registered have not yet been posted ;in fact, there will probably bo about 4000 posted next month. .Others are not serving because there is no room'for them in tho Territorial force. They were drafted into rifle dubs and other auxiliary forces. Some Avere medically unfit, and others live in exempted areas. G.eneral Godley said a return of the defaulters would be presented to Parliament in about a moiith. Tho number escaping service is not large. Instructions have been issued to trace men who shift their addresses from one end of a town to another after informing the Department that they have left 'for another part of the Dominion.