WAR SHIRKERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2876, 14 September 1916, Page 5

WAR SHIRKERS

v THE -ROUND-UP IN BRITAIN RAIDS DISCLOSE VERY PEW i Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, September 12. In pursuance of the policy of capturing "slackers,"'the military authorities raided Marylebone- Station. AH men apparently of military age were passed through a barrier leading to a roped-off space, where three officers inspected their registration cards and other papers. Many wore detained for' two hours and a half. Out of 130 men arrested, only one was without a propar explanation. Forty-nine men were arrested at; a football match at Beading, and all were liberated; eighty arrests ' were made at a boxing tournament at Wool-' wich, and only ono slacker was discovered. ....-- > '• - - DONALDSON, THE SPRINTER, OBJECTS. i BUT IS HANDED OVER, (llec. Soptembor 13, 5.50 p.m.) London, September 12. Donaldson, the sprint!er, was charged at Manchester as an absentee, but contended ho was not liable for service, because ho was an Australian, not ordinarily resident in England, where ho had come for running only. The Magistrate, however, decided that ho was liable; and he was handed ! over to the military escort.

WHY THE ROUND-UPS WERE INSTITUTED. (Rec. September 13, 5.50 p.m.) London, September 12.. The War Office explains that the round-ups were duo to allegations from ail large centres that numbers of young men had escaped registration through laxity in the recruiting department, and permitted to remain in civil life. Therefore, the complainants argued, it was grossly unfair to summon the older groups and classes to the colours. The result.of this'test, which, was carried out in a number of districts, demonstrates that' tho allegations were untrue.

INDISCRIMINATE ROUND-UTS TO \ ' BE CHANGED. (Rec. September 14, 0.35 a.m.) London, September 13. Tho authorities are modifying tho indiscriminate system ;of rounding-up civilians. Instead of joint police and military raids, directed by an Armx ; officer, futuro raids mil be carried out exclusively by civil police. Detention will only be enforced when there is genuine suspicion of shirking, and, if satisfactory evidence of identity is given calls will afterwards be made at the addresses given.