FORCE FOR JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 132, 1 December 1945, Page 9

FORCE FOR JAPAN

QUESTION ON PRIVILEGES

"Is the Minister aware that some of the men of the Middle ilast forces who are to go to Japan are not receiving the same consideration as others who are or have been in those forces?" asked Mr. T. C. Webb (National, Kaipara) in conjunction with Mr. R. M. Algie (National, Remuera), of the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The Minister replied that the force for Japan consisted principally of single men of the 13th, 14th, and 15th reinforcements who had had short overseas service. Owing to the necessity for extensive reorganisation and training of the new force and also as the leave scheme was arranged specially to occupy the time of the men with long service while awaiting repatriation to New Zealand, the men in the Japanese occupational force were excluded from the leave scheme. It was also decided that in the case of the men who were liable for service in Japan such service should take precedence over all other duties and activities. On the bursary question it was a condition that members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. were not eligible to take up bursaries until they had fulfilled their military obligations. Members of the force going to Japan would be eligible for bursaries, courses, and all other rehabilitation privileges when their tour of duty in Japan was completed. ___„