COMPULSORY SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1917, Page 8

COMPULSORY SERVICE

WORKING SMOOTHLY. WORK FOR MEN UNFIT TO GO ABROAD. Duncdin, Jan. !). The Hon. James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister, interviewed to-day, made reference to several important ,t matters arising out of (he experiences of the Military Appeal Boards. On the question as to the inadequacy of the first ballot, the Minister points out that the main difficulty was due entirely to the initiation of the compulsory machinery. Men had to learn ,a new job, the classifying of appeals, .iiul so on, and the Boards had not obtained the full measure of the work. The machinery war, now running better, however, and their work would he speeded up. It was almost certain there would be a moderate shortage as the result of the first ballots. It was estimated that after the first two ballots there would be 74,000 men in the First Division, and, allowing 07 per cent, for the estimation of unfits and essential workers, it is reckoned that this number will suffice for seven months' supply.

Two additional Medical Boards had been appointed for Auckland and Nelson, and wherever necessary this policy would be extended. Regarding the question of medical examination preceding appeals, the Minister sa.ys the subject will be given careful consideration. Homo service is a matter not yet fully defined. It was intended meanwhile that the staff on clerical work in camps, base records, pay branches, &c, should be deemed home service, in order to release men for active service. The first object of home service work is to utilise it for volunteers who are medically unlit. These men would be encouraged to come forward. \ "Regarding national organisation, the Minister said he had prepared a definite comprehensive scheme, which would be submitted to Cabinet at soon as practicable.