RFSTRENCHMENT?

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 5 December 1930, Page 10

RFSTRENCHMENT?

OVERTAKING LEAVE ARREARS

A I DEFENCE INSTRUCTION

5 (By Telegraph.) (S: f ecial to "The Evening Post.") / AUCKLAND, This Day. Arr iars of leave are now being worked of f by officers of the northern military i command' in accordance with insti ructions received from headquartcra in Wellington. Just what significance may be attac rfied to this procedure is not clear to -the majority of the officers stationed in the Auckland district, most of whom d ffclare that they are completely in the fl iirk as to the next move in further ret jrenchment or reorganisation of 'the i jlrilitary forces. < During the war officers were not -able to take their customary annual leaves, which has been allowed to accumulate, the understanding being that this accrued ' leave was to be taken on retirement. ■' However, notification was received by the staff of the Northern Command about six weeks ago that this leave was to be taken before the end of the Ter- " ritorial year, 31st May, 1931, and a 1 start has already beeii made to comply with this order. One officer with many years of service said he realised that further retrenchment had to come, and whatever the final decision he was prepared to accept it with what grace he could muster. There is a general feeling in defence t circles that the instruction to work off •. accumulated leave is merely the prelude ii to further reduction of personnel, s ■—