New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 77, 28 October 1916, Page 2

New Zealand

UNSCRUPULOUS TRADING. Per Press Association. Wellington, October 28. The Hon A. M. Myers, Minister in charge of Munitions and Supplies, informed a “Post” reporter that a military contractor for boots had failed to supply them up to the standard, and that the Minister had caused all the rejected articles to be returned and the supplies to be rectified at his expense; He also penalised the contractor to the extent of £2OO. ACE LIMIT OF 20 YEARS. Wellington, October 28. The Defence authorities have decided that in future no man under 20 years of age will be accepted for home service or service abroad, whether he is fit or unfit. Youths under 20 who get into camp will be court-martialled upon discovery for giving wrong information. recruiting statement. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES Wellington, October 28. As it is not possible, owing to the machinery preparations being still incomplete, to take a ballot at the present time, it has been decided to roly on voluntary recruiting to provide the men to meet the requirements for the 23rd reinforcements which includes all shortages tor previous drafts. The quota for each recruiting district has uow been based on the estimate prepared by the Government Statistician of the men remaining in the first division ol the reserve, and the district staffs of the Defence Department, with the assistance of local committees, have been asked to find the men required by the 11th November, when the 23rd reinforcements is due to mobolise for training. The Recruiting Board has been advised that the Government Statistician will then be in a position to take a ballot under the Military Service Act, and in view of that information, .it, has decided, and Cabinet has approved, that voluntary enlistment, fqv, 2;lth draft ns to cease, on the 11th. November, and a ballot is to he taken ~hi,.the ensuing week to make,good any shortage in reinforcements then existing. This means that recruiting for the 24th reinforcements will close a month before the draft goes into camp, so as to allow time for a ballot to be taken and appeals to bo lodged and hoard, and the full strength of the reinforcements completed before mobilisation. Voluntary enlistments will then be accepted for the 25th and 26th Reinforcements until the 9th December for the 25tb reinforcements will cease and a .ballot will bo taken to make good any shortage. It must be understood, however, that if a man who volunteers while the ballot is in progress is called up to make good a shortage his voluntary enlistment will be cancelled and he will thereupon bo under the orders of thq Defence, authorities as a soldier of the, ex,iMHlitlpnary force. This system will continue fqV a-U subsequent reinforcements,. Voluntary recruiting for each dyalt will cease one month before the draft is due to go into camp for training, in order to allow time for any shortage to be made good by means of a ballot.