RETURNED MEN IN ARMY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23748, 21 September 1942, Page 4

RETURNED MEN IN ARMY

MINISTER’S ATTITUDE TO RELEASE

FORMER NATIONAL RESERVISTS In reply to representations made by the South Canterbury executive of the Returned Services’ Association, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) has advised that it will not be practicable to release returned men at present serving in the Army from further military service.

Recently the South Canterbury executive sent the following resolution to Dominion headquarters of the association; “That every returned service man of the last war at present in the Army through having enlisted in the National Military Reserve, should be given the option of remaining in the forces or of reverting to the service for which his class has so far been called. The Minister’s reply to the proposal is: "In the first place, I desire to state how highly the Government appreciated the prompt and cheerful response made by members of the National Military Reserve to the orders for mobilisation last December. There can be no doubt that the example set by them materially assisted the success of mobilisation. “Careful consideration has been given, on more than one occasion during the last few months, to the position of these men,” the Minister added. “You will be aware that during last February, following the decision to incorporate National Military Reserve units in the Territorial Force, instructions were given for a review to be made, of all the members in order to determine those who should be released from mobilised service by reason of their physical condition, or on the grounds of public interest or hardship. “It was considered that it was not practicable for many reasons, to allow all these men to be released, who were physically fit, and whose occupation and domestic circumstances were such as to justify their retention,” the Minister stated. “The position of the men remaining, after effecting the releases that have been .made as a result of the survey has again been considered, and it has been decided that the circumstances do not permit of a right being granted them to take their release.” “It is regretted." he said, “that it is not possible to adopt the proposal submitted. I can assure you that it has received sympathetic and careful consideration, and that if the circumstances should change so as to justify its adoption, it will be done.” No further action in the matter will be taken by the association.