MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1916, Page 4

MILITARY SERVICE.

A DRASTIC MEASURE. MEN FROM 20 TO 46 TO SERVK. SINGLE MEN FIRST. RECENTLY MARRIED MEN TO BB CALLED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, LastViglit. The Military Service Bill was introi dueed to-night. It is a drastic and comprehensive measure, covering every natural born British Bubject resident in New Zealand over twenty and under forty-six years of age, criminals and lunatics being exempted, ; The men are to be plaeed in the Expeditionary Force Reserve, containing two divisions. The first division consists of unmarried men and widowers without children, men separated from' their wives without children, and men married subsequent to August 4, 1914. The second division consist of all other reservists. The Government may divide the second division into such classes as it thinks fit. The Governor may at any time by proclamation direct the enrolment of the first division; and subsequently of the second division, of any classes. Then the 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 the ' Commandant to ca.ll up from the 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 seleoted men will be published in the Gazette and the men on the day following the publication will be 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 a* 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 non-eligtlibity, through occupation or domestic .ties may be heard by Military Service Boards appointed by the Government. The Bill provides for local sub-divi-sions of the reserve. It provides severe '■ penalties for evasions or other offences, ,and places the omw 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 Governor may .proclaim that voluntary enlistment chall cease throughout the Domiaion or in any- district at any time.