3

H— 19b

(c.) As soon as the entry is made in the Registration-book an acknowledgmentcard is sent to the intending recruit. This card notifies the man of his registration number, warns him not to give up his employment until called upon, and informs him that due notice will be given as to time and place of medical examination. (/.) When arrangements have been made with the Medical Officer a card is sent out to the man giving time and place of examination. As far as possible the convenience of intending recruits is studied in making the arrangements. If a man is passed medically fit he is again warned not to give up his employment, and that due notice will be given him as to when he is to go into Trentham Camp (</.) If a man is rejected in the medical examination a certificate is sent to him, which can be retained as a proof that he has tried to do his duty to the Empire, and that it is not. his fault that he is not serving at the front. (/(.) The names of all men who have attended for the medical test are given to the Press for publication. It was the custom to give the names on receipt of registration-cards, but it was found that many bogus cards were being sent in, and so the practice had to be altered. (i.) When the Area Group Commander has been informed as to what quota is to be supplied by his group, and of the date on which it is to be despatched to Trentham Camp, ho takes steps to send out notification-cards ordering the men to the required number to make up his quota to report at a certain rendezvous on a given date. (J.) In selecting the names of men to go into Trentham the Group Commander takes them strictly in order of registration. At the same time it should be noted that a man who has registered for a branch of the service for which there is little demand may not be called up as soon as a man who may have registered later but for a branch for which there has been greater demand(k.) In the case of regular drafts, as far as possible at least three weeks' notice is given to men before calling them up to go into Trentham Camp. 10. This registration system has been criticized to a certain extent in the Press of the Dominion, and some pressure has been brought to bear on the Defence Department to replace it by a system of immediate acceptance of a recruit on presenting himself for enlistment. In actual practice the registration system has Worked out well, and proved efficient. The object of New Zealand recruiting is to obtain a certain definite quota for the Imperial Government at definite stated intervals. There has been no lack of men under the registration system, whilst under what may be termed the direct-enlistment system there has been, according to Press cables, difficulty in finding the requisite numbers both in the United Kingdom and Australia. 11. The following advantages in favour of the registration system may be put forward: — («.) Recruits remain at their work until such time as they are required to go into military training for the front; there is no surplus. On the other hand, to call up men surplus to requirements is not sound policy. The State is thereby needlessly deprived of the services of men who should continue in their employment, which is productive to the State. If men are called up in excess of requirements, not only does the State lose their labour, but also has to provide pay for them. Under the registration system no man is called up until he is wanted. He does not cost the State anything until that time ; he aids the State by continuing at his Work. (b.) Registration allows of recruits being called up at definite stated intervals in large bodies. This admits of efficient training being carried out by an infinitely smaller staff than would be required if recruits Were permitted to come in at all times. (c.) When men are called up in large bodies on certain specified dates it is possible to put them through a standard course of training, which results in a high degree of efficiency being attained. The Reinforcement drafts are thereby rendered all the more valuable for their service to the Empire. (d.) When men are brought into camp in stated bodies on fixed dates requirements can be worked out in detail, and it is possible to arrange for accommodation, feeding, clothing, equipment, &c, to the best advantage. Contracts on more favourable terms are possible under such conditions than if indefinite bodies of men had to be provided for. (c.) When it is known that men are to be brought into camp on a certain date it is possible to arrange for preliminary training of sufficient officers and noncommissioned officers to handle those men on their arrival. This system tends to efficiency, since men readily obey the orders of officers and noncommissioned officers who, by previous training, are in a position to show that they know their work thoroughly.

Acknowledgmentcard.

Medical examination.

Cards for unfit.

Publication of names of registered men in Press.

Notification to proceed to Trentham.

Selection of men for quotas.

Notice given of calling up.

Registration v. direct enlistment.

Advantages of registration.

Surplus recruits.

Training Staff.

Standard course of training.

Contracts, &c.

Preliminary training for officers, &c.