FAILURE TO JOIN DRAFT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1917, Page 7

FAILURE TO JOIN DRAFT.

A RESERVIST ARRESTED, j. (From Our Special Correspondent.f Wellington, Feb. 24. A Christehureh reservist who had been drawn in one of the ballots, and -who had appealed unsuccessfully for exemption, passed through Wellington recently under military escort on his. way to Trentham camp. After the dismissal of his appeal the man Imd been directed to join his draft oil a certain date. He failed to appear, and was than treated as a deserter. This case is an indication that the Defence Department is ready at last to put the compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act into eil'eetive operation against ballotted men who have refused or neglected to obey the orders given them. Every man who, alter being drawn in the ballot, has neglected to present himself for medical examination, or who, after being - passed as fit and attested, has failed to present himsdlf on the day of mobilisation, is technically a deserter and is liable to immediate arrest. But these defaulters, ■who arc understood to number many hundreds, have had a respite owing to the fact that the Defence 'Department was not ready to deal with them.