MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 May 1916, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

• — ITS MAIN PROVISIONS. The Military Service Bill was introduced into Parliament last night by (.-.he (Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defense. The formation of a national reserve *>i two divisions is authorised: one division of single men, those marriedi since August, 1&14, (unless they have children by a. previous marriage), widowers without children and divorced and separated men without children , The second. 1 division will be comprised of all other reservists. The enrolm -nt of the first division may be made by proclamation any time aifter passing <rf the Act. Power is given for calling up reservists in such numbers aa may foe required for service in the Expeditionary Force from time to time, the military /commandant to seLoot the number of men specified in tEe warrant of the Defence Minister by 'ot from men whose namea appear id the olaas to the warrant apph-;s. These men may 'be selected at once or by instalments a» the commandant thinks necessary, the selection te tat" plaoe in front of a stipendiary magi jtrate. Deserters, either by avoiding the call or attempting to ieiave the country, tthaill in addition to liability under the Army Act, "Be imprisoned for a term not exceeding ten years. Responsibility for enrolment in the reserve is thrown on. the indWiduil. Anyone failing to register may be ehmmarily called up for service.