RELIEF DRAFTS SOON TO RETURN FROM japan

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1947, Page 7

RELIEF DRAFTS SOON TO RETURN FROM japan

[Official NW- Correspondent with J Force.] CHOFU, March 18. ' Within one week or two either | way, depending on shipping, the re- i turn to New Zealand of the two re-1 lief drafts of J Force which arrived in Japan last year will be under-1 taken, according to the terms of enlistment for 12 months overseas. I This assurance was given today to the men of J Force by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, when he made his first inspection of units in the New Zealand occupation area. On his full-day tour of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Headquarters at Chofu, Mr Jones I was accompanied by the Chief of the} General Staff. Major-General N. W.| McD. Weir, and the Commander ot I the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in Japan, Brigadier Potter. Bambarded with Questions First inspecting the troops, their duties, accommodation, rations, and amenities, the Minister later met groups of men. informally. i I At each unit lie was bombarded [with questions, but throughout the day there was not. one complaint, even of a minor nature. Of first interest, apparently, was rehabilitation, and Mr Jones answered in detail the questions asked. Men and women serving in Japan for a full year, he said, would be entitled to full rehabilitation benefits on the same basis as men and women with garrison service overseas during the war. Mr Jones gave the men messages of greetings and good luck from the Governor-'General, Sir _ Bernard Freyberg, and on behalf of Mr Fraser and the Government and people of New Zealand for the work the men of J Force had done, and the way they had maintained the fine reputation held by New Zealand troops overseas.. The wide range of questions put to the Minister varied from housing and the prospects of employment in New Zealand to the chances eff a supply ot materials for civilian suits to be tailored and made up by Japanese tailors being readily available in New Zealand. Mi Jones gave an assurance that the necessary funds to, provide amenities would be available. f A Girl from Italy Shipping accommodation for a girl from Italy to New Zealand was the subject of one question, which was followed soon afterwards by an inquiry about, the prospects, of deck space being allowed for a dog to be shipped from Japan. A future bride, the* Minister macle plain, would have first consideration. At the provost unit Mr Jones entered the office just as a Japanese civilian, suspected of illegal entry, was brought in, and a search revealed that the Japanese had a sawnog shotgun hidden in his clothes. Tomorrow the Minister will (continue his inspection of headquarters units, and on Thursday will visit the 22nd Battalion, which is stationed at Chofu. The tour began on the first real day of spring, with warm sunshine and clear skies.