MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17280, 22 September 1916, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

. —— • UNREGISTERED WORKERS

PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE

TAKEN,

Under the new regulations of the Military Service Act, employers of labour aro placed under an obligation to employ no one of military ago (between twenty and forty-six years of age) who has not enrolled in tho Expeditionary'Force Reserve. As the date for such enrolment lias gone by, employers are now liable under the of the Act mentioned, and a reminder of tho fact has been issued by tho Employers’ Association in the form of tho following memorandum: — “ Tho following information is supplied in order that employers .may assist in securing compliance with tho provisions of the Act and may learn tho extent of their liability under it. This circular has been submitted to the authorities, and its contents aro approved. “ Every male natural-horn Britisli subject not less than twenty years and less than forty-six years of ago new or hereafter resident in Now Zealand is constituted a member of the Expeditionary Force Res&rvA, with tho exception of (a)-members of any. 'exjiedinonary forco raised under the Expeditionary Forces. Act, 1915, and (b) men who have been discharged in consequence of disablement*!)!' ill-health from that force or from any other portion of his Majesty’s forces after service beyond tho seas during tho present war. I'or instance, members of tho First Samoan Foico who wore discharged at their own request must enrol, as they aro not exempted by tho Act.. - “ An employer is liable to a fine of not less than £2O who, aftor tho cnrolmeait of tho Reserve has been tiroclaimed, continues to employ in Ins service for moro than seven days any man who belongs to the reserve and is not enrolled. A certificate is to bo issued to each reservist who is enrolled. As the preparation of theso certificates will take sopio time, the Government Statistician is acknowledging each application, and this acknowlcdgjnent card may bo accepted pending tlio •issuo of the certificate itself. But it must-be distinctly understood that this acknowledgment card will cease to have any value as proof of enrolment once the Recruiting Board has announced that the certificates are ready. This announcement will be liiado through the Press. “In order that employers may safeguard themselves from liability, they aro advised to require production to them by each employee of such acknowledgment card and certificate and to note in their wages hook or otherwise the dates of production. . “In tho cases of employees who claim that they are under or over military age or- that they are not horn British 'subjects, employers are advised to from such persons a statement in writing to that effect. If an employer is not satisfied as to the truth of any such statement, lie must' forward tho name of the worker concerned to the Government .Statistician, Wellington* who will thereupon take such further steps as may be necessary. If this courso is strictly followed," emolovers will he deemed to have taken all.VeasonablOj-prccnutions to see that their employers are enrolled, and will be-freed from further liability.”

SHEARERS FROM AUSTRALIA

NOT SUBJECT TO ACT.

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, September 21

Tho'question has been raised in Australia as to whether shearers and slaughtermen coming to New Zealand will bring /themselves under .the compulsory;‘clauses of the Militiw-y Service Act. A communication having been received from the New Zealand Government Agent in Sydney, in reference to tho matter, a l'eply lias been sent to him that no definite, time is fixed by the Military Service Act during winch people may remain in New Zealand before becoming liable for service, the test is residence in the Dominion, and •njero casual presence in New Zealand for a temporary or special purpose is not residence within tho meaning or tho Act. Visitors to New Zealand, therefore, do not become subject to •military service, unless circumstances are such as to show an intention to iemain in the country permanently or for an indefinite period. This information lias been communicated to Sydney, in order that shearers and slaughtermen coming to the Dominion for the approaching season may he assured that they will not by doing so come under the Military Service Act. It is hoped, says tho Hon G. TV. Russell, that this information will lead to tlio usual influx of shearers and slaughtermen,- whose services are so necessary each season to keep up tho pastoral find/ meat-freezing industries of the country.

THE APPEAL BOARDS. ,

[From Our Corresponbent.]

WELLINGTON, September 21.-

The Defence Minister expects to bo able to announce .the personnel of the four Military Service Boards before Saturday. . Two boards have been arranged for but thero is uncertainty regarding the others. Mr Allen will await tho completion of the four boards before making an announcement, together with a- statement of tho- policy and powers of the boards.