COMMISSIONS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15490, 18 January 1916, Page 7

COMMISSIONS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

MEN COMPLAIN OF BEING KEPT BACK. STATEMENT BY MR ALLEN. (rRESS ASSOCIATION" TELEOKAM.) WELLINGTON, January 17. Members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces have complained in letters written from England that they havo been refused permission to accept commissions offered them in tho Imperial Forces. It appears that the War Office is willing to find places in British regiments for somo of the young New Zoalanders who were invalided Homo from Gallipoli, but they cannot leave the New Zealand Forces without the conscnt of the Officer Commanding.

Tho Defence Miuister, referring to tliis point, said that he had been in. communication with General God lev regarding the transfer of promising voung men from the New Zealand forces to British regiments. General Godley did not wish to stand in the way of tho promotion of men who had distinguished themselves at Gallipoli, but obviously there were serious difficulties in the way of allowing a frco transfer of non-commissioned officers and privates from New Zealand units •Kiiicu bad to be maintained at tho highest possible point of efficiency. The present arrangement wa s to allow five or six transfers per month of New Zealanders who could socure commissions in tho Imperial Army. The door could not bo opened wider just now. The Minister mentioned that no definite decision had been reached yet concerning the suggestion that softie* of the men invandec. to New Zealand should be allowed, on rejoining, to take commissions in the Reinforcements. General Godlev had asked that, tho matter bo held over until lie had completed the reorganisation that he had undertakes.