MEN IN TWO BALLOTS

Grey River Argus, 4 December 1940, Page 3

MEN IN TWO BALLOTS

OVERSEAS SERVICE To Take Precedence POSITION EXPLAINED. [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, December 3. The position of those men who are drawn in th e . First Overseas Ballot and who have also been drawn in one, or other, of the two previous Ballots for the Territorial Force, was explained in a statement mack' by the Minister of Defence. Hon F Jones, to-day. “If a man who has been drawn in either of the Territorial Ballots and has not been despatched to camp, his services in that force will be suspended, and h e will not be sent to camp until it is known whether he will be available for the Expeditionary Force,” said the Minister. “If there is no appeal in respect of his service, overseas, or if such appeal' is disallowed), he will, if medically fit, be released from his Territorial Force obligations, and, in due course, will be posted Io the Expeditionary Force. If his appeal is allowed, his position regarding Territorial Service will then be determined.

“Similarly, if a man already is training in a Territorial’ Force camp, as soon; as it is known that he is available for the Expeditionary Force, he will be given option of continuing his service in the Territorials, or of being releasees at once from that force. If he elects to continue Territorial training, he will continue training until th e completion of the usual three months, or until required to go into the Expeditionary Force camp, which ever is the earlier. If h e elects to be released, he will be discharged from camp at ones. “Any voluntary member of the Territorials who is drawn in the Overseas Ballot will be treated in exactly the same way, and given the sameoption as the men who have been called up for Territorial service. “It will be appreciated,” said Mr Jones, “that those, who ar e at present in Territorial- camps should not be released until it is clear that they will be available to join the Expeditionary Force. Therefore if an appeal. against overseas service is made, it will be necessary for tho man to continue his training until the result is known.”

The Minister added that, if anv man called in ballot wished to make enquiries regarding his position, he should communicate, with the nearest Army Office. .