E.P.S.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1942, Page 2

E.P.S.

ENROLMENT PERIOD EXTENDED BY 14 DAYS. STATEMENT BY MR SEMPLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An extension of the period for compulsory enrolment in the Emergency Reserve Corps by 14 days was announced yesterday by the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple. The extension will operate from today, which was originally fixed as the last day for the making of application for enrolment. “You can bet your sweet life we'll be after the leadswinger,” said Mr Semple, when asked if any steps were to be taken to check up on individuals who pleaded chronic incapacity to serve in the corps. He explained that the first thing to do was to get the men enrolled. It should be obvious to any person with common sense whether an applicant for enrolment. who came before him was an invalid or not, but there would be further checking up later. “The first thing is to mobilise,” added the Minister. “The second step is to classify. We cannot do both things at once. My first check-up in the main centres of the Dominion, ’ he said, “proved that there were between 15,000 and 20,000 men short of the necessary numbers required to ensure the people the maximum safety in the event of attack. It was due to this shortage that the regulations were gazetted.' 1