THE SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 8

THE SECOND DIVISION

PRE-BALLOT EXAMINATION

THE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES

•" Still- more questions about the Second Division men were asted- in the House of Eepresontatives' yestorday.

Mr. C. J. Parr asked the Minister of Defence whether he was able to'.arrarije for a pre-hallot.iiedical examination of Second Division'men. He understood that there was .an'objection to the very early medical examination of men because it happened sometimes that a man passed as fit might bo unfit a few months later, and vice'versa. But there were other cases in which'the defects, such as faultv eyesight, were' constant. These men were in doubt as to what was going to happen to- them, , and did not know whether they should prepare lo give vp their business or not. He urged that early medical examination might bo orranged for men of this class. ■ Sir, James Allen said tho-difficulty was to 6ecure more medical officers to conduct the examination. The Department had applied to the Britis-h Medical Association, but Hie. whole thing was contingent on legislation going through to empower the Government to conscript .nodical men. The Minister of Public Health hud a Bill in hand dealing with this matter. He would suggest that these -.nen who had these defects might get a report from their own medical men.

Mr Parr: that is no nee. Sir James Allen: It would be a guide to them at any rate. Mr. Parr: It would not even be a guide. Mr. Poland asked whether, if it was Dot possible to provide for examination before the ballot, the Minister would Fee that three months' time was allowed between medical examination and the time of calling up. The Minister said that ho had already made a statement that three months would be-allowed between the ballot and calling up. If it was possible to allow three months between the medical examination and the time of going into camp he would be glad to arrange for it. In this he would have to be guided by circumstances. ■ Dr Newman said that he had receiroa many letters from the dependants of married men who had already enlisted, wlio wished-to know whether they would receive the same benefits as those to be given to dependants of men of the second Division. '..■.,■' The Minister said that there was Jio proposal to make concessions to Second Division men only, but to all Aew Zealand soldiers. No difference would be made between the dependants of Second Division men and those of married men already in the Army. Hβ wished to state, however, that the concessions cou d BOt be made retrospective. A dote wou J be fixed after which the,new rates noma be __