GOING INTO CAMP.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1918, Page 6

GOING INTO CAMP.

EARLIER THAN THEY EXPECTED. 2 OSITION OF SECOND DIVISION MEN

A good deal of misconception lias arisen among 2nd Division Reservists regarding the order in which they go into camp, says the Wellington Post. It has been thought by many that they are only ro. quired to mobilise in the order of ballot in which they were drawn, but it is officially explained that,,,.though the Defence Department desires to give full effect to this principle, it cannot in practice be carried out. The only undertaking, indeed, that- has been given is that each "*n<! Division Reservist will be given three months clear notice, after date of medical examination, in which to proceed to camp. This arrangement is being fully observed, and will continue to be so in the future.

The position has been accentuated somewhat in regard to Class A, Second Division men (married men without children). Owing to the reduction in the Reinforcement drafts and a consequent surplus of First Division men becoming available, it was found necessary to postpone the date of the mobilisation 0! the first draft of 'the SeconJ. Division until the end of May. This draft, which will concentrate at Trentham during tho period JMav 28 to June 1, will be known as the 42nd Reinforcements. All Second Division men ordered to concentrate before that date have accordingly received notice ( parade to go info camp with the 42nd draft. As the men so notified include a considerable number who were drawn 1 in the 2nd and 3rd ballots of Class A, Second Division, a certain .amount, of concern lias been caused among those affected. They, not unnaturally. considered Hint thev would be postponed until the 43rd and 44th Rein foreements, or in the order in which they wered rawn, and have therefore been asking why it is that they are required to go into eaitip with those drawn in the first ballot of their class. The authorities explain that until a draft is full the practice is to post every man wlio becomes available on medical examination to the particular draft in question, irrespective of the number of the ballot in which he was drawn—that is, provided the Department in the ease of Second Division men is able to give three months' clear notice after the date of medical examination. In the ease of Class A men it has happened* owing to the postponement of the date in which the first draft of the class is required to go into camp, that men drawn in the 2nd and rfrd ballots have become available for posting to that particular draft—the 42nd Reinforcements. This has beei. brought about bv reason of the fact that men drawn in the earlier ballot or ballots had not previously been disposed of, owing to the lodging of appeals, and failure to attend for medical examination through sickness, etc. In thin respect, however, Second Division reservists have been placed in 110 worse position than those of the First Division. The same procedure through force of circumstances lias boc-n adopted with First Division 111 on all along; tliey have not complained, and it is not expected that Second Division men knowing the position will complain eiilier.

The 42nd draft mobilising at the end of May was filled 10 days ago, and men now passed as fit are being posted to the 43rd Reinforcements going into camp n month l"ter. It is announced that if it is found in a few weeks' time a surplus is created for the 42nd Reinforcements owing to a larger number of First Division men becoming available than is at present anticipated—the position is regulated by the of fits obtained from CI camp and the extent of medical rejections in Trcntham and Featherston —it may be necessary to make a cut in those notified to concentrate for the 42nd draft. If that becomes necessary, first preference will be given to those'drawn in the third ballot, and next preference to those drawn in the second. As far .is men classed CI are concerned, the position is somewhat differ, ent. This .is regulated by the circumstance that there is no" limit to the strength of a C'l draft. The result is that men classed CI are posted to the next CI draft going into camp. This, however, is subject to the proviso that no man is sent into camp before the first draft of his particular class in the Expeditionary Force Reserve, and, in th» case of Second Division men also, that each man receives three months' clear notice from the date of his medical examination. Thus, with Second Division men j>o Class A man, wluther passed as Fit A or CI. is required to coneentrate before the first draft of his class. Though drawn in the later ballots, thev may, however, be required to parade with the first drafts of their class. The same will apply to B Class men and to later classes.