INCLUSION IN BALLOTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 242, 10 September 1940, Page 2

INCLUSION IN BALLOTS.

MEN FORMERLY REJECTED

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Sept. 9.

In a statement to-day, Hon. R. Semple said that considerable misunderstanding existed regarding the issue of certificates of enrolment to First Division reservists who have volunteered for overseas service and had been rejected on medical grounds. “Such men,” said the Minister, “remain members of the First Division and as such are liable to be called in the ballot and required to undergo a further examination by the medical board. Many of these men will previously have been rejected for comparatively minor defects, some of them of a definitely temporary nature. It would be obviously unfair to exclude them from the ballots when, by the time they are drawn, they may have regained perfect health.” The Minister also said that the Government had decided that a departure would be made from the procedure followed during the last war with regard to gazetting the names of the men drawn in the balfots. The procedure was then to indicate the men who had previously, volunteered by inserting a star before their names in the printed lists. Thk will not be done on this occasion as it is not desired to make any distinction between those who have volunteered and those who 'have been selected for service by means of the ballot. Gazette notices will, however, contain the statement that the .names appearing in the list include men who have‘.volunteered and have been found to be medically unfit.