SIGNING ON.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1042, 3 February 1911, Page 3

SIGNING ON.

RECRUITS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY. PARENTS AND. AKEA OFFICERS. A cubic message from Sydney tlio other day staled that indications pointed to thefact (hat not more than GO per.cent, of tlio available lads eligible i'c-r servi:o under tlio now Commonwealth Defence' -Act would In registered by January 31. Unless an extension bo granted by tlio defence, authorities those who have failed io fill in the prescribed forms by that date will bo liable to the JCIO fines which are provided for uiidsr the Act.

When tho regulations were first issued (states tlio "Sydney Morning Herald") it was provided that tiic registration of the lads should bo completed during tho first fix months of iho present year, and that tho uniforms would then 'be issued and tlio training commenced as from July 1. llitso regulations have caused some misapprehension, inasmuch r% parents imagine, or pretend to imagine, that they have the whole sis months at their disposal to think the 'matter over. It is perhaps Uiis misapprehension which is causing delay in registration. An area officer in oliargo of a district where so far only 30 per cent, of the eligible youths have submitted thtir names, has noted this fact. In no fewer than six instances parents informed him that they v/ero in no hurry to register their hoys; as thty had any amount of time to carry out tho duty. It was only after much explanation that they were induced to believe, that their obligation fell duo at the end of January. The Area Officer at Work. The "Herald" also publishes the following interesting sketch of an. area officer at work:— "I claim exemption for my two boys," said ono anxious mother, "and I think the State has a right to grant it." "Arc they crippled or'blind,"madam?" inquired tho officer. "Crippled or blind!" ejaculated the lady. "I should think not. How dare you say they arc?" It was some moments before tho angry parent could, be pacified,' but after she had calmed down sufficiently sho stated her objection. "I. have another am;" she said, "who was a volunteer, and one Sunday I visited him at the camp, and I saw him in a tent with several others playing cards. If that is what these soldiers do in pamp, I don't think it's-right, and I think my othor two sons should be exempt." The area officer looked troubled, and shrugging his shoulders, raid, "I am afraid I cannot grant you an exemption on that ground." "But I don't want my boys taught cards."

"I should think not," agreed tho area officer, "but I can assure you that no games of cards will bo tnuglit under the new scheme." Tho reluctance was overcome, and tho boys were registered. Those connected with the initiation of the no v system of training in New South Wnles are inclined to think that the uniforms it is proposed to have ready by July 1, will not bo available until some Inter. They also think the training will have been well commenced before the eadeto have !h'e clothing issued to them. Any delay in tlio supply of . the uniforms will not, it is thought, cause serious inconvenience In fact, some area officers purpose in tho absence of definite instructions to the contrary, to cany on at least threo mouths' training before issuing the .uniforms. This course is adopted in the existing military units, where recruits havo to go through three months , ' elementary drill before having, any uniform or kit handed over to them. The determination not to issue uniforms reached tho ears of one prnjent anxious to find a peg to hang an objection on. "I don't think it's proper or just far tho Government to compel.,lnds to go through drill and trainingi.-in'.-tho clothes purchased by their parents. If the Gov-' ernment wants soldiers lot them find the clothes for them to work iii. 1 ' . :"But," ;rcplied tho area officer, "you 'might as well say you won't' let your children go to school unless the Government provides clothes for them to go in." . It is as well for parents to bear in mind that al! boys whose ages are as prescribed must register. . Even if-the lads' have the misfortune', to. be crippled ■ or otherwise incapacitated,-, their papers must bo submitted along, with the rest. Exemptions will'afterwards be granted in cases where circumstances'"allow, either by tho area officer;, or by the: medical-of-ficer who is inrcharge'of the-; ox4iqination. •,".".-.•.'•.'■'■ ■ : V-'Tj"..'.'.'.'-.;,......