WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 20 December 1916, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

COMPULSORY SERVICE. FAILING TO REPORT. WELLINGTON, Dec IS. Figures that have been made public during the last day or two suggest that quite a number of Reservists, who Tvere called up by the first ballot, have failed to respond in the way prescribed by the military authorities. In one of the large groups, which probably is typical of many others, only about two-thirds of the men have presented themselves for medical examination, and the others, it would seem, have paid no attention at all to the notices that have been sent them. The defaulters, of course, are liable to summary treatment as deserters, every Reservist drawn in the ballot being tinder military authority till he is lawfuHy discharged, but it is understood the Minister of Defence intends to give them a further opportunity to report themselves before proceeding to that extreme. Probably his forbearance will be attributed by some people to a disinclination to put the Military Service Act to its final test, but the recruit who deludes himself into believing he is going to escape service by keeping out of sight is inviting a very rude awakening. THE INEVITABLE. As a matter of fact, a great number, pemaps a majority, of the men who liave been called up by the ballot will go into camp just as cheerfully as will the volunteers who accompany them. Many of them have delayed going to the recruiting office because t-hey could not make up their minds whetheir turn had come or not, and others because their parents or other relatives had urged them to remain at home as long as they decently cculd. These men now feel relieved of per--sonal responsibility in the matter, and ■will enter upon military duties with a light heart and with a determination to succeed. Mr. Allen has insisted all along that no distinction shall be made between the two classes of recruits, and though it may be difficult to give the later comers any advantage at the start, they will have every cpportunity to win their stripes and to go on to commissioned rank. It is with a desire to encourage the true spirit of comradeship and not with any fear of exercising compulsion that the Minister has dealt gently with the laggards. THE LABOUR SITUATION. Th c . rumour s of a brewing strike still persist in spite of the apparent calm in labour circles, and the assurance of labour leaders that the workers are not going to dissipate their strength on a profitless straggle with their employ-, ers. "They have learnt a better way* than that." reiterated a union secretary to-day. "The cost of living has been trying their patience very severely and really I don 't know how some of the members of my own union with families are managing to eke out an existence; but the Government seems to be waking up to its duty in this matter, and are hoping Mr McDonald and thc Board of Trade will now give u s some practical results." That appears to be all there is to say about the matter at present. Ministers evidently aTe a little nervous over the situation, but if a strike on a big scale is in' contemplation it s promoters are going about their preparations with quite extraordinary secrecy. THE ANTARCTIC RESCUE. Since Sir Ernest Skaeldcton 's arrival in New Zealand all sorts of sinister rumours have been in circulation concerning the famous explorer's connection with the expedition down to McMurdo Sound in the course of the next few days. The gossips have been whispering tales of quarrels between Sir Ernest and the Government over the rescue ship Aurora, and of legal proceedings that are to delay the vessel's departure upon her urgent mission. The truth of tb e matter is that Sir Ernest, •wh,sle not ajipgether satisfied with the arrangements made during his absence, has waived every personal consideration in his ..desire to have assistance sent to his stranded comrades at the earliest possible* moment. Both the Acting-Prime Minister and the Minister for Marine bear ungrudging tes- I timony to his chivalrous attitude in. I this respect. There are, however, eer- j tain financial matters to be settled, in -which Sin Ernest claims to have a voice, and it is possible that these may be made the subject of some formal investigation. But In any case the ship •will not be delayed. With all parties the rescue of the men stands before everything else.