GIFTS COMMISSIONER

Grey River Argus, 25 March 1940, Page 10

GIFTS COMMISSIONER

No Appointment Yet NOMINEE FAILS TO PASS l DOCTORS. WELLINGTON, March 23. ‘l,l regret to say there appears to have been some misunderstanding in regard to Ihe procedure in making the appointment of Gifts Commissioner with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force,” said the Minister of Defence. Hon. F. Jones, in a statement. “A premature announcement that Mr James Melting, Town Clerk of Auckland, had been appointed, caused the Government, the National- Patriotic Fund Board and Mr Melling considerable embarrassment. It was intended that the National .Patriotic Fund Board should receive applications or nominations for the appointment of Gifts Commissioner, make a selection and submit it to the Government for approval. Unfortunately, the choice of the National Patriotic Fund Board nominee was given wide publicity prior to two important conditions being fulfilled —firstly, the Government’s approval of the selection made, and. secondly, a medical examination in order to establish the fact that the person selected by the National Patriotic Fund Board was physically lit to carry out overseas the duties required of him. At the moment no one can foretell the ultimate destination or field of operations of the Second N.Z.E.F.. and it will be appreciated that the duties of Gifts Commissioner will not only be onerous, but may also have to be earned out under trying climatic and physical conditions. The Government appreciates ful-ly Mr Melling’s offer of service. It' has' the highest regard for his ability and administrative qualifications.. and would have been pleased to consider his nomination as Gifts Commissioner, but, unfortunately, an examination by the Medical Board has shown that, owing to injuries received while serving his country during the last war, a further period of service in an active theatre of operations would endanger Mr Melling s state or health. It is with regret that the Government is unable, for the reasons stated, to make this appointment.