A "ROUND UP."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12061, 17 July 1917, Page 4

A "ROUND UP."

POLICE ACCOST RESERVISTS, ENROLMENT CERTIFICATES DEMANDED. In Christchurch yesterday the police held what promises to be- the first of many similar "round-ups" in order to discover, if possible, men of military ago who havo failed to register undev the Military Service Act. It may be stated, though the fact has been given prominence in thousands of wall-posters for months past, that there is an obligation, under the Act, upon every man over the age of twenty and under the age of forty-six to enrol himself as a member of the Expeditionary Force Reserve Heavy penalties are provided in cases of failure to enrol, and a responsibility is placed upon employers, under penalty, to assure themselves that every man of military age in their employ is duly enrolled.

The Act further places within the powers and duties of members of the Polico Force the right to demand from any man, at any time, the production of his certificate of enrolment. Whilo it is obvious from the figures published from time to time by the Government Statistician that only a very small percentage of.men can have failed to enrol themselves, it would appear that quite a considerable number of reservists have failed to apply for their certificates of enrolment, and those reservists who come within that category are being made to feel rather uneasy just at present. The procedure of the Government Statistician's office in respect to enrolments has been 10 post an acknowledgment of the enrolment to the reservist's address almost immediately, enbodying a notice to the effect that a proper certificate will be issued at a later date. This- certificate is not posted to the reservist's address,, but is held for him at the chief post office of his district, which sends him notice that his certificate is awaiting him, and, upon personal application, hands over the certificate, requiring the reservist to sign the certificate, and also to sign a duplicate, which remains in official custody. A great many reservists, it would appear, have been perfectly content with the Government Statistician's first acknowledgment, and have npglected to obtain their certificates, which haye accumulated in large numbers at the Christchurch Post Office and other post offices in tho Dominion. The law requires each reservist to make personal application for his certificate, and possession of a certificate is the only really satisfactory reply which can be made to the policeman when he "bails up" the reservist in street, theatre or other public place. Yesterday's "round-up" was rather a mild affair. The police did not exercise to the limit the very wide powers delegated to them under the Military Service Act. The entrances and exits of tho various picture theatres and other halls of amusement in the city were patrolled, and a polite request was made to every man apparently within the ago limit to exhibit his certificate.

Last evening, after the "round-rip" had been in progress for some hours, a " Star" reporter interviewed some of the police on duty, and gleaned that the eyes of the inquisitors had not been gladdened by a very large number of certificates. In the' general run of cases the reservist had to confess either that be had left his. certificate at home or that he had not yet received it. In quite a, number of cases the Government Statistician's notice of acknowledgment, was triumphantly produced. In every case where a certificate in clue form was nob exhibited the police took the name and address of the reservist, with a view to consulting the roll and ascertaining whether he is registered. In cases of failure to register prosecutions will follow.

In Britain the procedure nowadays is said to be considerably more drastic. Any rp.scnvist who fails to produce his certificate is taken to the- nearest police depot .and retained there till his family or friends prodnrp the missing document. The New Zealand police could, if they so dpsircd, adopt similar tactics, but for the. present, at all events, they are using milder methods. The plain moral, of course, is that every reservist should pi nee his certificate, of enrolment carefully in his pocket-book or pocket, so that when the police make demand upon him ho may be fearless and prepared.

[Per Puf.ss Association.] WELLINGTON, July 16

In accordance with notice given, squads of policemen to-day visited a number of hotels and other places in tho city and demanded from men apparently of military age satisfactory proof of enrolment. It is understood tha. a long list of names and addresses is in the hands of the police.