BALLOT DEFAULTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1732, 20 September 1917, Page 1

BALLOT DEFAULTERS.

3,111 ARE MISSING. Wellington, Sept. 17. Elaborate details regarding the number of men drawn in the first nine ballots, and how they were disposed of, wore placed before Ihe House by Hie Minister of Defence to-night. The chief interest lay in 3,111 men who had not been located since they wore drawn in the ballot. Asked if names were to lie given, the Minister said he hoped to place a list in the hands of every member of Parliament, and ask him to do his duty to help find these men. (Hear, ‘hear). Altogether 5.505 cases were refeiTcd to the Director of Personal Services for inquiry; 2,451 had been found, and referred back to the Director of Recruiting; 2,705 cases were still under investigation. These were the men they hadn’t been able to discover. Mr Hornsby: “The hard cases!” Sir James Allen: “These are the ones we want help to discover.” Mr Anderson: “Confiscate thoir property and you’ll soon find them!” Members: “They haven’t any!” The Minister went on to state stat 606 warrants had been issued; 193 men arrested; 64 warrants withdrawn; and 349 outstanding, Of the 5,505 cases referred to, 339 were now in the Expeditionary Force; 585 sent to camp; 747 were medically unfit; 8 left with other New Zealand forces; 11 seafarers abroad; 198 left New Zealand as civilians; 15 in hospital; 13 in prison; 32 dead; 43 exempted by Military Service Boards; 450 located; 2,705 still under investigation. General details of 49,588 men drawn in the first nine ballots were; Under orders for camp, 12,230; awaiting disposal, 29,628; not located and temporarily unavailable 3,698; permanently unfit, 3,981; sent into or in camp, 12,230; in camp 9,083; ordered to proceed to camp, 2,047,