THE GALL FOR MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 184, 24 April 1918, Page 5

THE GALL FOR MEN

MANY VOLUNTEERS WANTED

ADVANCING MOBILISATION DATES

Tb» recruiting authorities wish • to secure at least 500 volunteers for • the Forty-second Reinforcement, mobilising in'the period May 21-25, and officers commanding districts have-been asked to take, steps to accelerate recruiting- among 19'.and 20-year-old youths and reservists of Classes B. C, and D of , 'the Second 'Division. Volunteers are required also for the Forty-first Reinforcement, mobilising next week. The arrangements «!• lead}' irmde will provide tho ordinary drafts. The volunteers are extra mfn to Meet the request made by tho Imperial authorities for increased reinforcements 'during the period of.stress on the West ifront. Class 15 men drawn in tins week's ■ballot are to bo invited to forego (heir privilege of twelve weeks' leave between medical examination and mobilisation in order that they may enter camp with the Forty-second Reinforcement, but to compulsion is proposed in this Ttniect. .The'authorities hope that men who aro able to accept advanced dates of mobilisation will do so in order that the strength of reinforcements dispatched fro;n New Zealand within tho next few mouths; may be as great as possible. . "It has become necessary to increase the etrensth of the drafts, 'not specifically to any particular number, but to enable us to dispatch overy possible man that tho ships can carry," states a recruiting memorandum issued to district commanders.- "To achieve this object it is necessary to accelerate the dispatch to camp of men who have already been given later dates. It .is realised that very considerable inconvenience will be caused . to many men by reason of the chopping and changing of dates and the consequent uncertainty in which they aro placed. ,'Xhis, however, unfortunately cauuot be avoided in tho present crisis, and our groat effort must lie to get the men into tamp before May 25." Tha district commanders aie instructed to take every step they can ( to deal with defaulters and to- ensure complete mobilisation. The memorandum contains instructions that every effort must be made to got into camp with the least possible delay all men passed n't for service who havo Hot appealed or whoso appeals liavo been dismissed. Chairmen of urlitary servico boards aro being requested to rehear tho 'cases of men whoso appeals havo been dismissed but who hi:vo been granted periods of exoinption expiring after May '25. All non-appellants, volunteers, and balloted men at present under orders for .the Forty-third Reinforcement or any later draft are to be transferred to,the (Forty-secoQil Reinforcement, with the exception of volunteers belonging to Class ■B of the Second Division. The Class B men will be transferred only if they express a desire to enter camp with the 'Forty-second draft. "It"must bo understood," adds the memorandum, "that there is practically jio limit to tho number of .volunteers that the Department will accept for the Fortyfiist and Forty-second drafts." The Fortyifirst and- Forty-second drafts are now open to voluntary recruiting. All drafts subsequent to the Forty-second are closed , to recruiting except in tho cases of balloted Class B inen. of the Second Division, .who, in accordance with the statement of the Minister of Defence, must receive twelve weeks' notice between medical examination und entry into camp in order to arrange their private affairs. District attesting officers are instructed to impress upon. Class B balloted men the desirability of foregoing the "full ■period of leave.and entering camp with the Forty-second, draft in May, but no ■ form of compulsion is to be used.