MORE MEN FOR OVERSEAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 34, 10 February 1941, Page 4

MORE MEN FOR OVERSEAS

ANOTHER BALLOT 19,000 WILL BE NEEDED

MAJORITY FOR SEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS 1 Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Feb. 8. An announcement that the fourth ballot under the National Service Emergency Regulations would be started shortly, was made by the Minister of National Service, Hon. R. Semple, to-night. “Men to ho drawn,” he said, “will be required for overseas service, most of them being for the 7th Reinforcements, although, I understand, a small number may be required to make, up shortages in the 6th Reinforcements. The number of men to be selected is 19,000 and the names will be gazetted on March 4. “Every effort will be made to have the men medically examined at the earliest possible moment, and as appeal boards are now functioning, the hearing of appeals will be handled with all expedition, so that the men concerned and their employers will have sufficient time to make any necessary domestic or business arrangements. Instructions As To Appeals. “As was the case in the previous overseas ballot all the appeals against service must be sent to the Director of National Service, Wellington, for transmission to the Armed Forces Appeal Boards. Many people.” said Mr. Semple, “are under an impression that appeals can be lodged at any time. In fact, some individuals attempt to appeal when the men concerned are actually in camp. Appeals cannot be lodged before a man is called up by ballot for service. When a man is called up the appeal period is 10 days from the date of the gazette and, in respect of this ballot, appeals must be delivered, or posted, to the director of National Service by March 14. Appeals forwarded after that date can be heard only at the discretion of the respective Armed Forces Appeal Boards, and these bodies require to be satisfied that the delay in lodging the appeal was caused by mistake or some other reasonable cause. Even these boards are limited in their discretionary powers, as they are only able to extend the time for a further month. That is to say, any appeals received afted April 14 cannot be heard. The Director of National Service, however, has a right to institute an appeal at any time on the ground of public interest. “I have explained this in detail," said the Minister, “so that all may be aware of the position and the misunderstandings which were apparent in connection with the last overseas ballot, due to a lack of knowledge of the provisions of the regulations, will, to some extent, be avoided.” Men May Join Air Force. The Minister also stated that the men selected for service will be given the option of transferring to the Air Force if they had required qualifications. “In order to enable this to be carried out expeditiously,” said Mr. Semple, “arrangements are being made for an application form to be sent to each man called up at the same time as the individual notices are posted advising the men that they have been drawn in the ballot." Asked if consideration had been given to the question of a further ballot for the Territorial Forces, Mr. Semple replied that the matter was at present under discussion, but a? many of the men selected for overseas service had previously been drawn for Territorial service, which they will not now undertake, it was anticipated that a ballot for Territorial service would be undertaken as soon as possible after the overseas ballot. The Minister stated, however, that further information would be given on this subject at an early date.