THE NEXT BALLOT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16892, 6 February 1917, Page 4

THE NEXT BALLOT.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER,

MEN CERTIFIED UNFIT NEED

NOT APPEAL

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Feb. s*. Recruiting for the 27th end 28th Reinforcements closed on Saturday, and a badlot is now proceeding to make good the shortage. The total number of voluntary enlistments for the 27th draft was 1251, and for the 28th draft 766, leaving respective shortages of 922 and 1367 for the two reinforcements. The total number required to be ballotted for in order to allow the usual margin for exemptions and medical unfitnesx is 6867. It is expected that the Gazette containing the list r.f reservists on whom the lob has fallen, will bs published at the beginning .of next week, and, as announced previously, the medical1 examination of all men so called up for service will be commenced forthwith. " 1 wish the men who are passed as unfit for active service to clearly understand that there is no need for them to appeal, or, :f they have already sent in an appeal, that there is no need for them to pursue the appeal. They should at once withdraw their 'appeal, and thus,save their own time as well as that of the Military Service Boards. A man who is passed as unfit will be transferred to the home section of the Expeditionary Force, and will be given indefinite leave without pay, which means that such men wili be in a position to continue their ordinary civil life.. If at any time men are wanted for home service, a call will be made for volunteers from those who have been passed' as unfit. I think this explanation is necessary, as many men seem to be under th,e impression that though unfit for active service their transfer .to home service means that they are to be held by the Defence authorities for service in New Zealand. That is not the intention at present, because it is anticipated that all the men —unfit men — who are wanted for service in the camps and forts and Defence service in the Dominion, will be readily obtainable by voluntary' enlistments. If at any time it should become necessary to compujlsorily call up the men who are now passed as unfit, in order to use them for home service in the Dominion, the same right of appeal will be extended to them as is now given to the in,en who aro passed as fit for active service with the Expeditionary Force. I also wish to repeat that the decision to ballot for the shortages in two reinforcements this month is solely due to the fact that more time is required between the date of the ballot and the time when the men are due in camp to commence training, in which to medically examine the men and hear appeals, etc. At the present time only one month has been allowed for these things, but by the alteration now made two months will be available."

ALLEN, Chairman. 5'