DEFAULTING HUSBANDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12084, 13 August 1917, Page 4

DEFAULTING HUSBANDS.

THEIR STATUS UNDER CONSCRIPTION LAW.

The'classification of the Second Division does not provide for those men who do not properly discharge then liabilities to their families. Mr Parr, referring in tho House, to these men, asked tho Minister of Defence whether, in view of the, fact that, according to the Government Statistician, there wore a, number of married men in New Zealand registered in the Second Division who did not live with or in any way support their wives and families, hj» would toko steps to have these men who completely neglect their responsibilities to be classified on the same level or grade as members of the First Division.

Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) replied: Tlie question of amending the classification of the Second Division of the Reserve in order to place the, marirod men referred to by the hononrablo member in. Claps A, which will bo tliu first class of tho Second Division to bo called up for service, is now iindcr consideration. They could net bo transferred to the First- Division without an amendment of the Military Service Act. 1 -would point out, however, that tho Government Statistician has no knowledge of tho Second Division Reservists who come, within this category, and if the classification is amended as suggested above he will have to rely on information furnished to him by the men concerned or by lecal recruiting committees in order to classify them..