SECOND DIVISION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12176, 27 November 1917, Page 4

SECOND DIVISION.

THE FIRST CLASS. AND AFTER

(Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, November 27

_ This week the Government. Statistician conducted the second ballot of Second Division men. drawing another five thousand from the list. It is estimated that four thousand will be left in the Class A section, and the military authorities! will make, this number serve- with First Division men still coming into camp, for the following draft. The result of the current ballot will be known next Tuesday, and medical examinations will proceed until early in January, enabling the men to have their three months' notice, and enter camp between April 2 and April 6. As it is proposed to drop a draft the final men m tho class may not ho called on to go into camp until May 28. Then come, the married men with one child. If ballots are kept up at monthly intervals, the first of this class will be called on to go into camp hetween June 25 and June 29, but there, is a, growing feeling among those in touch with the military authorities that the Government will not hurry the process of balloting the married men with a family. There is still a good sprinkling of First Division men to he. got, apart from those who are coming of age, and they are being sorted out from the men who have done their duty all the more easily by reason of the fact; that no single man of military age has a right to be in his civilian occupation to-day unless he has secured exemption by the official process. The personal service branch of the Defence Department is receiving scores of hints daily about these single men, and is now able io trace them out; quickly, and get them into camp if they ought to be there. The Government has the extra, brigade to use as reinforcements whenever necessary, and there is strong probability that this will be done before the married men with children begin to answer the call to camp. If this course is adopted before balloting Class B men, it will delay their entrance into camp until some time in September. No doubt; the Minister of Defence will make an announcement, regarding the Government's policy early in the new year, after the "childless class" has been exhausted.