THE SECOND DIVISION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13580, 7 September 1917, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION

FIRST BALLOT IN OCTOBER

CALLED UP IX JANUARY.

(By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Tlnirday. A statement regarding the Second Division was made hv Hon. Sir James Allen, in the House of Representatives this afternoon in reply to Mr I). Buick (Palmerston), who said that it was important that married men should know when they were going to he called up. Sir Jas. Allen stated that it was difficult to give definite iutormation, hut as far as lie could judge, they certainly would not he called into camp liefore December. He was trying to devise a scheme for the medical examination of the Second Division one month earlier than was the case with the First Division. There were technical difficulties which it was hoped would he overcome in order that the men might get an extra month between the ballot and going into camp. The Defence authorities' aim with respect to the First Division was to allow two months between th# ballot and going into camp, but they had not always been able to carry that out because of shortages in camp and i other matters. By the arrangements * that had now lieen made they hoped to make up all shortages, and provide for all requirements up to December from the remaining men of the First Division and combing-out of the C2 men, so that it would not be before January that the first draft of the Second Division men would be called to camp. The first Second Division ballot should take place in October in order to allow three months after the ballot before the men were called up. , If arrangements, as indicated could be made it was expected that an assurance could be given that no Second Division man would be called up until three months had elapsed after he was balloted for.