TROOPS FOR JAPAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 247, 31 July 1946, Page 2

TROOPS FOR JAPAN

NORTH ISLAND MEN EMBARK CHITRAL DUE AT LYTTELTON TO-DAY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 30. Troops of the .). Force replacement draft boarded the Chitral to-day in high spirits. The last draft, that from Trent ham, embarked at 12.45 p.m., and the barriers to tiie wharf were raised about 1 p.m. A crowd surged on to the wharf to say farewell to the men. The Chitral will call at Lyttelton tomorrow morning to embark 100 G South Island men, making a total draft of about 2500 men, so that they will not be overcrowded, as the ship is titled to carry 3000. The Chitral will sail from Lyttelton to Suva, where oil and water will be taken on board before the final stage to Japan. ORIGINAL J- FORCE ALL MEN WILL BE HOME IN SEPTEMBER (P.A.) DUNEDIN, July 30. By the first week of Septemebr, when the Chitral returns to New Zealand, the last men of the original J Force will be home, and from then on the Dominion’s part in the occupation of Japan will be undertaken by men who have volunteered for 1 lie purpose, said the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) this morning. Mr Jones added that future arrangements were uncertain. The continued occupation of Japan was a policy matter, and it would be some months before a discussion took place as to the advisability of further recr lit.ment. A total of 4000 men was needed to meet New Zealand’s commitments as they at present. RELIEF OF MEDICAL OFFICERS DIRECTOR-GENERAL STILL HOPING” (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 30. ‘‘Still hoping” was the reply of the Director-General of Medical Services, Major-General Sir Fred Bowerbank, when asked before sailing from Wellington to-day in the Chitral what the position was regarding medical officers volunteering for service with J Force. Sir Fred Bowerbank added that he was much concerned over the relief of the medical officers at present servjng in Japan, and he hoped the relief would be as soon as possible. Sir Fred Bowerbank is visiting Japan to investigate the health of New Zealand personnel generally. He expects to he away for about six weeks.