THE NEXT REINFORCEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1916, Page 8

THE NEXT REINFORCEMENTS

THE VOLUNTEER'S CHANCE.

;From Our Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, Oct. 29. The Recruiting Board's statement means that any fit man who is a member cf the First Divison of the Expeditionary Force Reserve and has not' yet volunteered for service, lias just thirteen days left him if he wishes to be sure of gomjr into camp as a volunteer. The lists of recruits for the 23rd and 24th Reinforcements will be closed on November 11, and the shortages, actual and prospective, then existing, will be calculated. Then the chances of the ballot will select the reservists who arc to fill the gaps. The extent of the shortages will depend upon the rate of enlistment cuir'ng the next thirteen days. Probably from 500 to 1000 men will he required at the first ballot.

The number of names on the roll of the First Division at the time of taking of the ballot probably will be about &0.000, but the fit man cannot safeU cn.i.-ulate his chunce of being enlisted cjmpulsorily on the basis of these fiSiiiin. The number of fit men available for service in the First Division is not expected to exceed 2,",000, and it may be r.eeessary for the authorities to draw 3?oi'i names in order to secure 1000 consists. Naturally the number of fit nier. in the division will deoreasa after each ballot, and consequently the remaining ones will have a greater chance of being drawn. THE FAMILY SHIRKER The distribution of notices to the men affected by Clause 35 of the Military Service Act, relating to the "family shirker," is proceeding in various parts of the reentry. The Indications are that tha number of appeals from these men is £Cji;« to be very large, and the Military Service Boards, which are to hear these appeals, may begin their work next ivcek. _ There will be no unnecessary delay, since the military authorities are counting upon securing some hundreds of men through the operation of Clause So to help cover the e.visting shortage.