THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1915, Page 4

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Under the National Registration Act of last session, every male resilient in, the Dominion between the ages of 17 and GO, is required to furnish, not later than Tuesda} - , November 9, a personal schedule setting out full particulars as to his age. nationality, occupation, dependents, ele.. and also stating whether lie is willing to become a member of an expeditionary Force in connection with the present war, or not. There are oilier questions which appear on the schedule that have to be answered, but it should be stated that the information given is strictly confidential, an addressed envelope being provided in each case to ensure this being observed. It is desirable that it should be known that the law throws upon the individual the responsibility of making the return, whether the registration paper is sent to him or not. forms being obtainable at any Post (Mice in the Dominion. It should also be known that the Act imposes penalties up to £IOO, or imprisonment up to six months, on any person wdio fails to furnish the required particulars or makes a false statement. The object of tne registration is to ascertain the resources of the Dominion in men. and it neither involves enlistment, nor is a substitution for the present system of enlistment. For those requiring assistance in filling up the schedule, it has been arranged that the services of postal officers at all postal offices shall be available during ordinary office hours. We might also suggest that Territorial officers should be requisitioned to perform this duty. It is in-

cumbcnt on the whole community to givt every assistance to the authorities in this important matter, which is essential to the continuance of New Zealand's activity in the war on the voluntary) basis. The returns will enable the Government to be in possession of accurate information as to how many men van go to the war, and how many are ready to volunteer, as well as the number that are available in the various districts. Those who have already gone to the front may reasonably expect that those left behind will do their share in this great national crisis, and we are cuniident that the filling-up of the schedules will bring home to the latter the duty and privilege of exercising the highest form of citizenship—that of upholding the integrity of the Empire and all for which it stands. There will be no need for conscription as long as this duty is recognised, and it,would be a blot on the cherished privileges of the race did the voluntary system prove a