The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1916. MILITARY SERVICE MATTERS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 September 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1916. MILITARY SERVICE MATTERS.

I rouble will come to a lot ni yo'.uig people this mouth—audi to some older people a'fij—corsequen'tly upon their laihiro to register as mpiired 'by tiie Military .Service Act, '11)16. A source of tlie trouble will he neglect ol the liability the Act pluces upon men between the ages ol 20 and 1(5 to enrol tbeiiLvelviis in tlie Military lle.-orves oil or 1>: fare l'otli September, I*Bl6. In ' aln est every newspaper and post officj and in various other placcrs, tlie Eylence D'epartmenr's notifications on this subject have been published for several days piust. Heavy peiialtes may bo linenrrecl through failures to domply with the Act and the regulations; yet, so far, the registration!' effected locally are not a tithe i*f the known ,nunib 'i- of possible registrees in Levin and district. The authorities are giving Reservists all possible encouragement and facilities at any and every pest office to do their duty voluntarily, but it i,s important for men to remember that- the Act provides liravy penalties for.a breach. In every on.so under the Act cnu-f 'of pro"f is oil the defendant. A p!ea of ignorance will not ibe available as an excuse, because elaborate precautions ,are being taken, by pesters, planar<Tis ami lantern islid'tfc, advertiseiiien.iis, and other statements in the press to explain the position t-liorr.ug.hly. As -a reminder to men already registered who .still may be unwitting offenders, we mention that men who are -already registered must inform ihe 'Gove.nmenit Statistician if tliey have changed their abodp since registration. Neglect to report such a. change will result in any offender becoming liable to a charge of desertion. The penalties attaching to desertion in war time are so serious and so well known that to recapitulate tliem here is unnecessary.