THE NATIONAL REGISTER

New Zealand Tablet, 9 December 1915, Page 31

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

- By working long hours with a large staff the Government Statistician was able on Tuesday to hand to the Government the first results of the national war census (says a Press Association message from Wellington). A preliminary summary of the census, said the Minister of Internal Affairs, had been completed. The analysed results only included those from the ages of 19 to 44 years. The total number of men who were willing to become members of an expeditionary force if required was 109,683. This number was made up as follows: Single men and widowers without dependents 33,127 Single men with dependents ... ... ... 16,321 Widowers with dependents ... ... ... 947 Married men with wife only ... * ... ... 9 944 Married men with wife and other dependents... 50,344 Other results of the census showed the following: Not prepared to volunteer for the Expeditionary Forces, but were willing to serve in a civil capacity, 43,524; not prepared to volunteer for the Expeditionary Forces nor serve in a civil capacity, 34,386; volunteered for the Expeditionary Forces, but rejected, 9042; British subjects incapacitated for military service, 3963 foreign subjects, 3206; returned troopers, 288:—grand total of all classes, 208,513. In addition, said the Minister, there were the whole of the men between the ages of 45 and 60 still to be considered, also some 7000 names 'of men included in the ages from 19 to 44, whose cards had been set aside for further inquiry and examination. . f. The Prime Minister stated: ‘I consider that the results are exceedingly satisfactory and creditable to the men of New Zealand. I had confidence that when the position was put to them they would do the right thing. lam satisfied now that they will come forward when they are wanted, and, so far as I am able to judge, a very large proportion of those who are willing will be required. In regard to those who are not prepared to serve in any Expeditionary Forces or in a civil" capacity, it .has to be remembered that a number of men have families occupying small farms. In each of thete cases to leave the farm or business

under existing conditions would probably mean financial ruin for them and their dependents. I have not seen the cards yet, but I think that when we get to know - the actual position it will be found that what I. have said applies to quite a-large proportion// It has to be remembered that on the registration cards there was very little room for . explanations of this sort.’ ; ' ,