MILITARY CHAPLAINS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 244, 9 July 1921, Page 3

MILITARY CHAPLAINS

REORGANISATION PENDING NEW REGULATIONS OUTLINED Brigadier-General Richardson, General Officer-in-charge of Defence Administralion, accompanied; by Major n. C. Finnis, of Staff “A,” addressed a meeting of chaplains yesterday, in the Wellington Diocesan Synod room. Ho announced' that the Defence Department had been nt work for some time on the complete reorganisation of the New Zealand Army Chaplains’ Department, lie then proceeded to read arid comment on the new regulations which are shortly to be issued, and an interesting discussion followed'. , In future, Chaplains will be div-wed-into three sections (1) Active list, (2) reserve list, (3) retired list. Tho wearing of uniform by Chaplains will not be compulsory except on mobilisation. All Chaplains after August 1, 1921, will cease to hold relative rank, but will be graded as Ist class, 2nd. class, 3rd class, and 4tli class, according to length of service. Chaplains' work in 'each military district Tvi.ll be controlled' by a Board of Chaplains consisting of representatives of the various denominations, whose duty will lx*, to advise the Officer Commanding the District on all matters concerning the work of Chaplains. Members of tho board will be, as far as possible, the senior chaplains in each denomination. In peace-time opportunities for work will bo given to Chaplains in connection with Territorial camps and Cadets, and also in welfare committees. At the end of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to General Richardson by acclamation.