SECOND DIVISION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 21 September 1917, Page 7

SECOND DIVISION

A MASTERTON SUGGESTION.

AND THE MINISTER'S REPLY.

When tho Masterton Second Division League approached Sir James Alien recently in regard •to having Second Division men medically examined before 'they were ballotted, the -Minister replied that this could not he done. The secretary of the League then communicated with Mr G. 11. Sykes. M.P.. asking him to endeavour to get the Defence authorities to allow the men tho option of. going before the Medical Board at their own expense, so as to ascertain • they were medically fit. This would enable business men to go hefore the Medical Board at an early date, and it' they were lit they could then set about arranging their affairs. Mr Sykes conveyed the Masterton League's request to the Minister of Defence, and has received the following reply:— "".I* have received jvour letter of the 13th inst., with enclosure from the secretary of the Masterton iSocomK Division League,, ivith reference to the calling-up of members of that 'league- for service. T have alread-v had a communication 1 direct from Mr ;Rue on this matter, and have advised him that the proposed pre-ballot medical examination has not been nbandonejd. heoniKe of delay 'in bringing it into oneration. hut because it was found, after.: tho most careful consideration, fM.hr> ouito impracticable, from-an administrative poftifc of view. I have also advised him that as it \vas not possible to ,Imvo a pro-ballot examination it has been arranged that Second Division men are not to he sent to .oitnn "'itil thi*ea mouths after they have heen called up. This is leave which will ho giyen them by the Department apart altogether from any further extension of leave which may ho granted by a Military Service Board on appeal. "T note Mr line's suggestion that Second Division reservists '.should ho offered facilities to go before a 'Medical Board at their own expense, but tliis will only be possible if they are preoarod to attest at the same time. There is nothing to prevent a Second Division reservist ifroin asking his own medical adviser to thoroughly examine him in order to ■rive h'»/i an ideaa Ss to whether he is likely to ho passed as fit or unfit for active service. If the examination is &, proper ono if, should ho quite sufficient to give the reservist concerned a fairly accurate idea as +o bis chances of nnssiiur the medical test when called up for service—Yours faithfully, J. ALLEN, Minister of Defence.' s