WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Recruits Wanted (Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb 7 The mobilisation of the 26th Reinforcements was began yesterday Bnd will be continued daring the week. Official figures regarding the strength of the various drafts as they reach training camps are not being made available by th 9 military authorities, but it is clear enough already that there is going to be another shortage. The attitude of the Minister for D3* fence and his officers in the face of the recurrent shortages is a trifle per* plexing. The plain fact of the situation is that the Military Service Bill ia not being enforced with sufficient firmness to ensure a full supply of recruits month by month. Many hundreds of reservists, drawn in the ballots, have gone into camp, but, they have been men who responded to the call with- • out waiting to be “fetched.” Other men have disregarded the call. They have failed to present themselves for medical examination and in defiance of the orders of the Commaudaut they have been abeent on the days of mobilisation. These men, who now rank under military law aa deserters have been left alone, up to the present time. The authorities indicate that at some time in the future strong action is going to be taken, but in the meantime the sbortage&in the monthly drafts of recruits a*o stated unofficially to be even more serious than they were in the memt!- ~ • '-.- ling the proclamation of the aary Force Reserve and the . f the ballots.