THE NATIONAL REGISTER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2602, 26 October 1915, Page 7

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

Under the National Registration Act passed during t'he session just ended every male resident in the Dominion is required to furnish to the Government Statistician at Wellington, a personal schedule setting out full particulars as to his' age, nationality, occupation, dependents; etc., and also stating whether he is willing to become a member of an Expeditionary Force in connection with the present war, or not. In the case of single men without dependents, this must be answered yea or nay, but for single men with dependents, married men and widowers with dependents, the question is qualified with the words "if required." By notice in our advertising columns, the schedules, which are obtainable at any'post office in. the Dominioi), must be- furnished not' later than Tuesday, November 0. The schedule, on being completed,, is to be placed in the addressed envelope provided, and handed to an officer of the Post, and Telegraph Department, or posted direct to the Government Statistician at Wellington. The particulars are strictly confidential under' the Act, and an addressed envelope is provided in each case to ensure this being observed. This Act imposes penalties up to £100 or imprisonment up to six months on any person who fails to furnish tho particulars required, or who makes a false statement. It should also bo noted that the obligation to register is a personal one, and the fact Mint a i'onn has not been addressed 1 to or received by any porson does not absolve him from responsibility to register. Any person who refuses, fails; or neglects to register will, be prosecuted. For the conveniences of the public the offices of Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the four chief centres will bo open continuously from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the registration period, October 26 to November 9, for the purpose of affording assistance in the filling up of the schedules to any persous desiring it. It l has also been arranged that postal officers at post of.fices throughout the Dominion during ordinary office hours, will also on application help any persons desirous of assisting in filling up the schedules. The object of the registration is to ascertain the resources of the Dominion in men. The register to be compiled is purely a civil register, and the furnishing of the schedule required under tho' Act does not involve enlistment, nor is it in substitution for tho present system, of enlistment. Those desirous of enlisting can obtain enlistment forms at the nearest post office or Defence Office. The need for ascertaining the resources of the Dominion at tho present time is extremely urgent, and every porson liable to register should do so at once. '