THE CLAUSE 35 MEN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3030, 17 March 1917, Page 11

THE CLAUSE 35 MEN

'A COMPLETE ACCOUNT. The total number called up under the "Family Shirker" Section (35) of the Military Servico Act is 2851, and the Minister of Defenco (Sir James Allen) gavo <i reporter .yesterday particulars of how they liavo been deall. with. To begin with, ho stated that 707 of tho 2851 had been struck off for various reasons; 102 had not yet had notices served upon them. That left 2042 to bo accounted for. First, as to tho 707. Of these, 29 enlisted before tho Act came into operation, and 211 had enlisted since. Of these, 136 wero passed as fit, and 75 Were turned down as unfit. In 302 cases tho men were removed from the operation of tho Act owing to the fact of their brothers ,having enlisted. Fifty-nine were drawn in the ballot, so ihat there was no need to servo notices upon them: 73 were represented under the headings of "Deaths." "Over Age," "Under Age," or married men or men in gaol, etc. Thirty-three have nob yet been found. As to the remaining 2042, thero aro in camp at present 403, and llfi are dvn to go into rami) at definite dates. Forty-one have foiled to renort for medical examinations: and 366 are due for medical examinations; 204 are.reported on as medically nnfit. In 393 cases anneals have been allowed or adjourned sine die; 519 cases have been adjourned "not yet disnosed of," making ■up tho total of 2042. In regard to the balance, "not vet disnosed of," it may bo added that some of the notices have only just gone out. They will be dealt with as soon as possible.

"T think." said the Acting-Prime Minister, "that the public ought to be satisfied that the Government has lost no time in denling with the men who come under Section 35 of the Act. I hone the result will be a feeling of gen'ora! satisfaction in tho Government's administration of the Act."