SERIOUS SHORTAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13294, 25 September 1916, Page 6

SERIOUS SHORTAGE

IN 21st REINFORCEMENTS. APPEAL BY RECRUITING BOARD. (By Telegraph). N WELLINGTON, Saturday. I wish, on behalf of the Recruiting Board, to draw attention to the very serious shortage which has been revealed by the mobilisation of the 21st Reinforcements. This shortage lias been wholly caused by the failure of the men who have registered for service in the several districts to answer the summons to proceed to camp to commence their training as members of the Expeditionary Force. The position is made All the More Serious by reason of the fact that it will not be possible to use the whole of the compulsory provisions of the Military Service Act for at least another month to make good this shortage. It is intended to exercise the powers conferred on the Minister of Defence by section 35 of the Act with respect to families containing two or more unlisted sons who belong to the first division of the reserve so soon as the Military Service Boards can be set up. The boards must therefore rely on the help of all recruiting committees to fill the gaps in the 21st Reinforcements. I would urgenly urge upon every Recruiting Committee to Leave no Stone Unturned within the next few days to provide the men who are required to enable the 21st Reinforcements to commence training at full strength, and I would particularly ask Recruiting Committees . to endeavour by every means in their power to induce the men who have registered but have failed to answer the call to now come forward and proceed to camp.—\Y. F. MASSEY, Chairman Recruiting Board."