SOLDIERS' WILLS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 June 1919, Page 5

SOLDIERS' WILLS.

DEPARTMENT BUSY. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June a. While the training and equipment of soldiers was the chief activity ol the Defence Department during the war, it also concerned itself with a number of other matters affecting Wie men's, welfare and convenience. It established a legal bureau in connection with the Expeditionary Forc«, to systematically secure from the soldiers information as to whether they had made a will, and if not, to enable them to do so. The legal bureau, which had its headquarters in London, iias completed its work, and the staff will shortly sail for New Zealand. About 40,000 soldiers' wills have already been forwarded to Base Records, winch is now getting info touch with the owners, or the administrators in case of decease. The latter class of will is foi-wauded to the Pay Department, which adjusts the deceased soldiers account and sends the will to the administrator. It is noticeable that the majority of the men have appointed the Public Trustee as executor. The wills of men who x have returned and been discharged are being'forwarded to ihem by registered post when Basfv Records has obtained their correct address. In the case of undischarged soldiers, in New Zealand, their will is to be forwarded with, the parchment certificate of discharge. Where the legal bureau has not received a. will from the soldier, it has secured a declaration that he does not desire to make a will, or that one is in existence. .