THE DEFENCE FORCES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 292, 4 May 1911, Page 5

THE DEFENCE FORCES

PROGRESS OF REGISTRATION. By Telegraph.—Prose Association. Wellington, Last Night. Up to Saturday last, 15,835 persons between the ages of 14 and 21 had.registered under the new defence scheme. In the last few days forms have come in more numerously than heretofore, but better progress will be required if complete registration is to be effected before June 2. Registrations effected in the different military districts up to the end of the week were as follows: Auckland Territorials, 1110, senior cadets, 1774; Wellington, 2287 and 3878; Canterbury, 1227 and 2330; Otago, 1209 and 2020; totals, 5833 and 10,002. These figures take no account of the Territorials and senior cadets at present serving under the old order ol things. On a rough calculation made at headquarters the Territorials and senior cadets at present serving will accoum for another 17,500 (12,000 Territorials and 5500 senior cadets). Registration oi these units is done automatically through the companies. Tt will accordingly be seen that up to the present, approximately 33,335 persons liable to serve under the new scheme have been accounted for. As the Defence authorities estimate that 71,000 are actually liable for service, over 37,000 forms have still to come in, before June 2. After that date those/who should have registered and have not done so will be liable to prosecution. Each week the fifty-six area-sergeants, who are at present controlling the work of registration, report to the O.C. district, and the latter in turn reports to headquarters. During the next two weeks a compilation embracing the whole country will be made, and it will then be possible to estimate roughly the laggards who will have to register in the final days.

As soon as the returns are completed the work of examination will be proceeded with. Colonel Purdy, director of medical services, will have the assistance of four district P.M.O. in this very important work.