CLASSIFYING THE SECOND DIVISION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1688, 20 March 1917, Page 2

CLASSIFYING THE SECOND DIVISION.

UEPLYING to Mr K. M’Callum, ALL*., on (he subject oi' the 2nd Division (published recently), the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) says that the 2nd Division will he classitied. He adds: “I note your suggestion that an opportunity should now be afforded to men in the Second Division to go before a Medical Board to have their physical status determined, so that they may be in a position to arrange their affairs if passed Jit. 1 think you will agree on reflection that such a. course might cause grave hardship in many cases. Experience has shown over and over again that a man passed Jit to-day may be rejected on a reexamination even one mouth hence, and vice versa, and the chances of a reversal of the medical verdict are infinitely greater after a lapse of three or six mouths. 1 am sure the adoption of your suggestion would only prove a snare and a delusion to many men, because any examination now could not be accepted as Huai. 1 would like to make one comment on your statement that a prudent married farfer will, once the First Division is exhausted, set about selling his property if unable to procure a lessee who is ineligible for service. 1 desire to say most emphatically that the Government does not wish to force any man to dispose of his properly in order to serve. If a lieservist who m working his own farm, whether freehold or leasehold, is unable to satisfactorily i;rrange for its management during his absence on military service, the Government is decidedly of opinion that he should not be called up. He Will be doing equally useful service in producing foodstuffs. It is obvious that any policy which forced a farmer to sell his property in order to serve would only encourage land aggregation, and the Government has no intention of permitting any such thing. However, you arc no doubt aware that this important question is now receiving the close attention of the National Efficiency Board, and I am confident that satisfactory machinery will be provided not only to deal with this, but enable New Zealand to fulfil its military obligations while maintaining our essential industries.”