REGISTRATION OF 18-YEAR-OLDS IS COMPULSORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 67, 10 July 1950, Page 5

REGISTRATION OF 18-YEAR-OLDS IS COMPULSORY

Eighteen-year-old youths in the Bay of Plenty who have so far failed to register for military service would be well advised to do so immediately. An intensive search is now being made in most districts. Every person who becomes subject to registration is bound to make application for registration within 14 days of attaining the age of 18. Under the Military Training Act it is an offence for any pei’son who at any time employs or retains in his service for more than seven days anyone subject to registration who has not applied for registration. The employer is liable to a fine of £2OO and the defaulting employee a fine of. £SO. Liable For Service Every male British subject ordinarily residing in New Zealand who turned 18 on . or after November 1, 1949, is now liable to be called upon to serve in the armed services.

Over the past three months the number of youths registering from Bay of Plenty centres has dwindled steadily. This ite beliieved to be through both employers and youths failing to regard registration seriously. The Military Training Act applies equally to Maoris as well as Europeans. Maori youths are on exactly the same basis as 18-year-old Europeans and their is no question of volunteering. There is no place for registering at Whakatane but youths may obtain registration forms from the Whakatane Post Office. These have the address of the nearest registration office, to where the forms are to be forwarded. .