RESTRICTIONS UPON ELIGIBLE MEN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3561, 22 September 1916, Page 3

RESTRICTIONS UPON ELIGIBLE MEN.

, TO PREVENT ESCAPE FKOM / j MILITARY SERVICE.

WELLINGTON, September 21. To prevent eligible men from escaping military service by going to sea in (ocean vessels, war regulations were (made in July last, which prohibited 'any male over 18 years of age from shipping as a member of ■ the crew of an oversea vessel unless he produced to the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine a certificate of discharge in New Zealand from an oversea- vessel within the immediately preceding 12 months, or discharges 'for at least 12 mouths' service in vessels in the coasting trade in New Zealand, or a permit to leave New Zealand issued under the War Regulations and still in force. This regulation has lately been! amended, and the TJnder-Secretary forj Internal.Affairs has addressed a memo-1

randum tt> all permit officers informing them' exactly of tho purport of the amendment. 'Hie memorandum states that the effect of this amendment is that the powers .of the. Superintendent of Mercantile Marine aro greatly eninrgod, and in futxirc wlien an application for a. permit is. made by a pcrsori desiring to ship on an oversea vessel who has actually followed the sea and possesses discharges such person should first he referred to the Superintendent. In the event of that officer declining to nnoerit the discharges produced, an application for a permit may then be considered.