THE 24th’s.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1917, Page 3

THE 24th’s.

MOBILISING THIS WEEK

The mobilisation of the 24th. Reinforcements will begin this week Considerable interest attaches to the ovont owing to the fact that the drafts from tho various districts will include the first batches of balloted men, who will enter the training camps side by side with the volunteers. The figures at present available indicate that there is going to ho a shortage in the draft. Enough men arc available to fill an ordinary four-weekly reinforcement, hut the quotas for the 24th Reinforcement include the recruits required to cover previous shortages, and it appears likely that some part of the deficiency will have to be carried forward again. The Defence authorities are disposed to regard the state of recruiting generally as favourable. Voluntary recruiting lias kept up fairly well during the holidays, when it might have been expected to slacken, and is providing a considerable proportion of the men lequired for successive drafts. More than 700 volunteers are available already for tho 26th Roinfoccments. The machinery of the Military Service Act lias moved slowly, and the number of compulsorily enlisted men available this month will not be as large as was ergipally expected. But apparently the dalays that have taken place are not regarded with much concern by tho authorities, providing that the men become available in the near futuie. Just how many of the balloted men will enter camp this month cannot he guaged with certainty in advance. The extent of the response will be revealed by the actual mobilisation. The indications arc that the majority of the balloted men will present themselves wit-hot trouble on the days of mobilisation. “I am very pleased with tho quality and the general attitude of tho men chosen in the ballot.” said the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen) to a Dominion reporter yesterday. “Most of these men are evidently willing to play the game fairly. They may have had reasons for not coming forward as volunteers, but now tint the loti has fallen upon them they arc willing to join the forces and do their duty. I am quite sure they are going to help to maintain the high reputation already won by Now Zealand’s troops.” The Minister added that the Defence authorities realised fully that very many of tho balloted men had had sound reasons, domestic, business or otherwise, for not volunteering for service. There was going to ho absolutely no distinction in the training camps between volunteers and compulsorily enlisted men, and lie trusted there would be no friction of any kind.