BALLOT FOR CLASS C.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1918, Page 5

BALLOT FOR CLASS C.

SHORTAGE OP SHIPS. • MAY CAUSE REDUCTION IN REIN-' FORCEMENTS. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 6, The number of men to be drawn from class C of tho Second Division in this month's ballot is 10,000. The Gazette containing the names of the selected reservists will be published on or about June 18. Class C (men with two children) contains between 27,000 and'2B,ooo men, and the manner of drawing the remainder is not yet settled. Probably the July ballot will be for 5000 inen. It had been thought that a smaller number than 10,000 would suffice at this" month's ballot, in view of the two big draw 3 in class B in April and May and ol the expiry in August of the period fot which increased reinforcements were-ask-ed. But the recruiting authorities think it wise to have a substantial body of recruits in sight in view of events in Europe, and they suspect that the nett yield of class C is going to be lower than was the case with earlier classes. The Minister of Defence has explained more than once that the number of men sent abroad is dependent just now upon the supply of shipping. The number oi recruits in the training camps is increasing, but it has not yet attained the leveLi reached when the monthly reinforcement draft was nearly 2500. The present rateof reinforcement, as fixed when the Imperial authorities asked for more men early in April, has not been disclosed, but as a matter of fact the shortage of shipping has prevented the full number being got away. How far the same factor will operate in the future remains to be seen. The recruiting authorities, in the meantime, are proceeding on the assumption that the full number may be required. They will be able to send the men if the ships become available. If not, there will presently be fcpause in the concentration of Tecruits.