New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 43, 25 May 1916, Page 5

New Zealand

MILITARY SERVICE BILL. The Military Service Bill as introduced in, the fis a oboipraiiensive L .Tmeasute,*_i. every natural born British subject resident in New Zealand over twenty and under forty-kix years of age, criminals; and lunatics bc.ng ,exem|^~ The men are to be iplasfed : n the E*" peditionary Force two divisions. Tlie first'.-division consists of unmarried mdp? ind widowers without children, men sej>araied from their wives without chiidreh||^^m6n marriedjsuhseqtidht to August The second division consist of all other reservists. The Government may divide the second division into sufeh classes as it thinks fit. The Goveff nor may at any time by proclamatiqjti direct the enrolment of the first division, and subsequently of the second division, of any classes. Then tne Government Statistician will, _ prepare a register, using the National Register and other sources of information. After the enrolment of either; division of the reserve the Minister of Defence may by warrant authorise tho Commandant to call up from tlie division such number of men as is deemed necessary, the men to be selected by lot from the register according; to the division or class mentioned in the warrant. The names of the selected men will be published in the Gazette and the men on the day following the publication will he deemed to be transferred to the Expeditionary Forces for the period of the war. Under the Discipline of the Army Act, the failure of reservists, to report as ordered will be punishable*'under the Army Act. Men found to be medically unfit may be discharged or employed in military service within New Zealand. Appeals on the ground of hon-eligilibity through occupation or domestic ties may be heard bT Military Service Boards appointed bg. the Government.

Tho Bill provides for local sub-divi-sions of the reserve. It provides severe penalties for evasions or other offences, and places the onus of proof on the objectors in all cases. The clauses show that no man may escape on technical points. Employers may not employ reservists unless enrolled.. The Government may proclaim that voluntary enlistment shall cease throughout the Dominion or in any district at any time. AX NOTES. The Taranaki group commander (Major E. P. Cox) wishes the pub|ic 5 and recruiting committees to understand that young men under the age cf 20 cannot be accepted for the forces. There have been a good many registrations lately of lads under 20, and thereby causing a great deal of trouble to the officers of the Department. Instances have come under the notice of the group commander where lads MtP der 20 have signed a false declaration that they are over the age, and ths Department intends to call upon youn|£ raen < if they make false declarations, as to their age before the medical officers, to pay the cost of the medical ex- ' animation.