ALLIED NATIONALS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 249, 18 July 1942, Page 10

ALLIED NATIONALS

Service With N.Z. Army Or

Air Force

The procedure to be followed by nationals of Allied countries wishing to serve with the Army or Air Force was explained yesterday by We I’l'boe Meister Sir. Fraser. He said that in view’ of the fact that there was only a relatively small number of these nationals residing in New Zealand, the formation of separate national units was impossible, but those men who desired to serve and accepted would be posted to New Zealand units. “It has been decided that men who desire to enlist must, before making application in the ordinary way, obtain from their consular representative a permit.aathoriziiig them to serve with the New Zealand forces,” he said. “It will not be ,possible to accept for service any foreign national nbo is not in possession of such a permit. When the necessary permit has been Obtained, application for enlistment should be made in the ordinary way to the service concerned. “The conditions of service for Allied nationals enlisting under this arrangement will be the as those applying'’ to British subjects in all major respects, such ns rates of pay and allowances, pensions, and promotion. Such nationals will also be treated on the same footing as British subjects in regard to rehabilitation after the war, provided, of counw, that they are ordinarily resident in New Zealand. ‘‘Men who are not able to undertake full military- service may make application for enrolment with the Home Guard. Moreover, in order to provide an avenue of service for men who, for medical or other reasons’, are not accepted for any form of military service, the National Service Emergency Regulations have recently been amended with the object of opening the E.P.S. organization to persons of foreign nationality. Every encouragement is offered to persons such as I have mentioned to associate themselves with a (section of the E.P.S. and so assist in civil defence.

“With regard to American citizens,” Hie Prime Minister added, “tlie foregoing procedure is modified by an arrangement which has been made on a reciprocal basis between flic Governments of the United States and New Zealand. Under this arrangement any American citizen who offers himself for service witli the New Zealand Forces will be given an opportunity of electing to serve with the forces of his own country.”