R.S.A. MATTERS

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1942, Page 4

R.S.A. MATTERS

Executive Meeting SOLDIERS’ PASSES WELLINGTON, March 18. The New Zealand Returned Services Association has received a letter _ from Army Headquarters, intimating that the Minister of Defence has approved, where circumstances warrant it, the extension of the period of availability of the tree railway pass issued to returned men. At pre J sent this pass, which may be useh for any consecutive 28 days, over the Dominion’s railway system, is valid for 12 months from the soldier’s return. The extension follows representations by the Association.

NON-COMBATANT C.O.’s The question of the conscientious objector who serves in the Armed Forces in a non-combatant capacity and his return to his pre-war employment was considered by the Dominr ion Executive Committee of the Association; It was found that, in accordance with the occupational reestablishment emergency regulations su'ch a man is quite entitled to resume his pre-war employment. During the discussion it was" pointed out that there were many members of the armed forces who enlisted and were posted to non-combatant units. It was therefore agreed that no distinction in law could be made between an enlisted man and a conscientious objector when both are do>-' ing non-combatant duties. All associations are to be requested whereever possible to inform any ex-ser-viceman of this position should he be taking over a job previously held by a conscientious objector doing non-'combatant service, or by a man on service with the forces.

■ANZAC SERVICES Having received advice that the Government approved the holding of commemoration services on Anza? Day as usual, the committee decided to ’inform all branches that, provided circumstances permit, commemoration services should be held as previously. HOME GUARD PAY

In reply to an inquiry from the Association in respbet of members of the Home Guard, who, having volunteered for military duties, had, been called out for temporary duty, Army Headquarters advised that no pay or dependants’ allowances would be granted for unpaid shifts. For paid shifts pay 'would be granted for continuous duty for twenty-lour hours or more, but no dependants’ allowances would be granted. Quarters, rations, or subsistence allowance, would, however, be granted for both unpaid and paid shifts. In regard to nartial mobilisation, pay, dependants’ allowances, quarters, rations, or subsistence allowance, would be granted. The Army Headquarter’s letter added that the service was entirely voluntary on the part of members of the Home Guard, and assumed that those who volunteered for short hours of duty did not suffer anything by way of loss from their ordinary civilian pay.