TURNED DOWN

Levin Daily Chronicle, 3 September 1918, Page 1

TURNED DOWN

UNFIT FOR ACTIVE SERVICE. PREDOMINATION OF PHYSICAL REJECTS. Among the many extraordinary tilings that have boon revealed by tlie war has been the physical unfitness from a military point or view of the great majority of New Zealand's manhood. This has been brought forcibly before the public recently by a statement by the Minister for Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell), who expressed extreme regret that a young country like New Zealand should proauce so many physically deficient young men. Close enquiry into the facts shows that there is strong justification for the Minister's apprehension. Roughly speaking, the Dominion has sent 100,000 soldiers overseas—a splendid record considering tho population of the country—but when it is considcreo that for every man drafted into the army 11 to 2 have been rejected on account of physical disability, it -will be generally admitted that tho problem is a serious one. It is well known, however ,that New Zealand does not compare unfavourably with older parts of the Empire with respect to "military physical unfitness," but this docs not alter the facts that are shown by tne figures given below. Unfortunately no record was kept by the Defencc authorities regarding voluntary recruits, and it is consequently only possible to deal with the men called up during the conscription regime. Another fact tTiat has to be pointed out is that a great many of the men called up by the ballot -were volunteers who had failed previously to satisfy the very rigid medical test applied by tho Military Service Boards. SOME TELLING FIGURES. _ The total number of First Division men examined was 66,074, and out of ♦•heso only 23,587 were passed fit, the percentage being 35.37. This means that 43,087 were "turned down," or 64.63 per cent, of the whole. The examination of Class V (married men without children) revealed a slightly worse state of affairs. Altogether 12,028 recruits faced the doctor, ana only 3957 proved physically fit, the percentage in this case being 32.89. TTiat left 8701 rejects, or 67.11 per cent. Then came Class B (married men witTi ono child), and the fathers of a family of ono made a better showing than their comrades of Class A. At the ena of June, 10,375 Class B men had been examined, and the number passed fit was 3943, or 38 per cent., leaving 6432 rejects, or 62 per cent. The figures relating to Class B are incomplete., but it is understood the percentage is practically the same right through. The Class C (married men with two children) figures arc not yet available, but it is stated that they show still a further improvement as regards physical fitness.