WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1916, Page 7

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FOP 22nd REINFORCEMENTS. The shortage in tlic Wellington Military District's (Inft for the 22nd Reinforcements amounts to 287 men in all branches. There is also a shortage of six men in the 25th Reinforcements' N.C.O.'s, who went into camp with the 22nd Reinforcements. The group officers have been notified by Defence Headquarters that additional men to cover the shortage will be taken into camp 'on Wednesday next, and an appeal is made now to eligible men to come forward and fill the vacant places. The Defence authorities specially invite men enlisted for the 23rd Reinforcements. A man who so transfers will go into camp next week, three weeks earlier than ho had originally arranged, and he wiP have the satisfaction of knowing that he is assisting the Defence Department to cover a difficult period, before conscription is enforced. The shortages in the various groups in the Wellington Military District are shown in the following list: Group. Quota Supplied Shortage S 240 183 57 B 150 07 53 7 98 80 12 8 104 72 32 18 05 '42 23 lit 80 50 30 20 150 70 74 803 006 287

The probationary non-commissioned officers required for the 25th -Reinforce-' ments numbered 98, but only 32 reported, leaving a deficiency of six. Probably this number will -be supplied in camp from among suitable men who are available there. Some confusion has been caused among those interested in military matters by the extension of the period of training for N.C.O.'s by one month. Previously the N.C.O.'s entered camp two- mouths ahead of their meu. Now the probationary period is three months, and in order to make this change without disturbing training? arrangements the camp authorities formed one N.C.O. draft by promotions in camp. Drafts have continued to enter camp monthly with the Reinforcement drafts, but the numbers have been advanced, so that it is the 2'oth Reinforcement N.C.O.'s, and not the 24th, who are beitg mobilised this week. Twelve of the men who were summoned to enter camp with the 22nd Reinforcement draft from No. 5 Group on Tuesday morning did not present themselves at the hour fixed. Three of them have accounted satisfactorily for their absence. The remaining nine 1 rank now as deserters, and steps are being taken to secure their apprehension,, Some of these men are seamen, and it is possible that they took the oath and drew their first day's pay under the impression that the authorities would be unable to trace them later. If this is the case, they will probably soon find that the Defence Department's net is being spread very wide .as far as deserters are concerned.

The Auckland draft entered camp yesterday. It is below strength, but the net shortage will not be nearly as large as the Wellington district's shortage. The Canterbury draft, which is reported to be seriously short, will reach camp to-day, and the Otago draft will arrive to-morrow. All the districts are being asked to send additional men to camp by Wednesday next.

~ :n '■' WOMEN 'POLICE. ...... The deputation which waited upon the Hon. A. L. Herdman to-day to urge the appointment of women police in New Zealand got little further than preceding deputations had done. Mr. Herdman, who is Minister in charge of the Police Force, does not believe that women police are desirable additions to the forces of law. and order, and he obviously is not convinced by any of the arguments to the contrary that have been placed before him. 'He stated to-day, however, that he would arrange for the appointment of additional police matrons at Auckland and Wellington as soon as possible, and if he does that he will have conceded an important part of the reform that is desired by the ladies who have interested themselves in this matter. The most important argument in favor of women police is the difficult situations created under the present system when cases concerning women and children are being dealt with. Magistrates themselves have often expressed a desire for the services of experienced women iii such cases.