APPEALS FROM THE BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2973, 10 January 1917, Page 6

APPEALS FROM THE BALLOT

STATEMENT BY HON. JAMES ALLEN. By - Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedln, January 9. The Hon. James Allen, ActingPrime Minister, interviewed .to-day, mado reference to several important matters arising out of the experiences of the Military. Appeal Boards. On the question as to tho inadequacy of tlie first ballot, the Minister points out that tho main difficulty was duo cutirely to the initiation of tho compulsory machinery. Men had to learn a new job, the classifying of appeals, and so on, and tho boards had not obtained the full measure of tho work. Tho machinery was now running better, however, and their ivork would bo speeded up. It was almost certain there would bo a moderate shortage as the result nf the first ballots. It was estimated that after tho first two ballots there would be 74,000 men in the First Division, and allowing 67 per cent, for tho estimation of unfits and essential* workers, it is reckoned that this number will suffice for seven months' supply. Two additional Medical Boards had been appointed for Auckland and Nelson, and wherever necessary this policy would bo oxtonded. Regarding the question of medical examination preceding appeals, the Minister says_ the subject will ho given careful consideration. Home service is a matter not yet fully defined. It was intended meanwhile that tho staff on clerical work in camps, base records, pay branches, etc. should be deemed home service, in order to rcleaso men for.active- service. The first object of home servico work is to utilise-it for volunteers who are medically unfit. These men would lie encouraged to come forward. Regarding national organisation, tho Minister said he had prepared a definite comprehensive scheme/ which would be'submitted to Cabinet as soon as practicable.