UNFIT MEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1918, Page 7

UNFIT MEN.

SENT INTO CAMP (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Dee. 31. ' Some complaint lias readied the Direc-tor-General of Medical Services that Second Division reservists have licen passed as fit when as a matter of <act they have very little clnnee of standing the strain of cainp lite. It has been urged on .behalf ci these men that they should riot be required to break up their honie3 and enter camp unless there is a reasonable probability ot' their getting away with the Expeditionary' Force. In '.niter words, the examination of 'Second Division reservist?, should be particularly strict.

General Henderson stated to-day, in this connection, that there had been no relaxation of requirements or lowering of the «tanuard. The medical boards were composed oi' experienced men, many "f them with war experience to aid them, but it was not possible to avoid a small percentage of rejections from the camps i'i the course of training. Weaknesses sometimes did not reveal themselves un;il training had begun, while conversely weaknesses sometimes disappeared under I Mining. He wa? prepared to investi'jace any specific Msec of slackness on '.he part oi- th* medical hoard:.

Ir nuy be mentioned, ir. this connection, tiur, the -Defence authorities are constantly being blamed iV: rejecting apparv.itly fit incii. Men who look strong and healthy «re drawn m the ballot, and wo en they do not enter camp there are whispers about "pulp and "favoritism." I. tiie were required to reject 'very man who in their opinion might . ■'■■■"•ibiy bred: down in training, there won'.d be many more of these whispers. 1 : a matter of fact a big proportion of ii':,' recruits whose cases might be relyf.rdc-.-. as doubtful improve under training- and become thoroughly fit.