DISCHARGES ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 10

DISCHARGES ABROAD

, DEFENCE DEPARTMENT'S RULING "Will it be possible for a member of the New Zealand Forces to get his discharge in England should he desire to remain thero for a time after the war?" asks a correspondent. "Failing that, would he he allowed to come back by any route ho pleased l , if he paid his own expenses and undertook to report lor duty in New Zealand on a given date?"' This question is interesting' many members of the New Zealand Forces, both in Europe and in the training camps, at the present time, and representations have been made upon the subject to the Defence authorities. Hundreds of young New Zealanders, with substantial sums of deferred pay accumulating to their crcdit, would like to be allowed to see something of the Motherland before they return to New Zealand at the close of the war, and they have asked if the proviso on their attestation papers, mentioning New Zealand as liie place of discharge, means that all men must return to the Dominion with their units. The Defence Department has laid down rules governing the question. "Discharges from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in England will not bo allowed, except in very special pases," says the regulation. "Before being discharged the applicant must comply with the following conditions (1) Show good reason why ho should be discharged in England. > (2) Be certified by a medical board as unfit for further service. _ . ■ (3) Show that he is able to maintain himself. (4) Sign a document absolving tho New Zealand Government from any liability for his return passage to New Zealand." Naturally the officer commanding the Expeditionary Force, with which the Reinforcement drafts are incorporated, is allowed to exercise his discretion in matters of this kind, and lie can take into consideration the special circumstances of : any application for discharge that may. be placed before him. But tho Defence authorities are setting their faces against discharges being granted outside,the Dominion', ' These discharges are apt to produce complications with regard to pay and pensions, and in any case' New Zealand needs to get back .as many of her men as possible. Soldiers who have left wives in this country, or who have liad maintenance orders issued against them, ■will not lie discharged abroad under any conditions.