WOMEN IN N.Z. ARMY

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1943, Page 4

WOMEN IN N.Z. ARMY

Put Under Military Law

CAN BE PUNISHED LIKE MEN.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 10.

Members o£ the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps are now subject io military law. They are liable, to punisnment for breaches of discipline in the same way as men in the army. Provision has been made tor W.A.A.C.’s to be tried by court-mar-tial, also to be confined to barracks, and to be discharged from the army. Previously there were no regulations under which W.A.A.C.’s could be legally punished for breaches of military discipline, but, in cases where ' they were absent. without leave, they forfeited their pay, through being paid volunteers. Every since,.the formation of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, however, discipline has been good. Commanders of w.A.A.C. units have not been embarassed by tire lack of regulations. Now W.A.A.C.’s can be tried by court martial, which will have a certain number of W.A.A.C. officers as members. The W.A.A.C.’s can be charged with being absent without leave, or with conduct to the prejudice of •disciffiine and the court-martial will have power to impose various types of sentences. Officers can be dismissed, or ordered to forfeit seniority; can be severely reprimanded, and can have their pay stopped. Simarly non-commis-sioned officers can be discharged; or reduced either to a lower grade or to the ranks; or forfeit, their pay for not 1 more than 28 days. W.A.A.C.’s can be discharged, or can be confined to barracks for not more than 14 days, and may forfeit their pay, or have it stopped. The Commanding Officers of W.A.A.C. units have the power to deal summarily with tne women under their command, and the noncommissioned officers can be severely reprimanded, or reprimanded, and can have deductions made from their pay. Other ranks can be confined to barracks for not more than 14 days, or forfeit their pay. They can also be ordered to perform extra duties, or be admonished like: soldiers. W.A.A.C.’s have the right to be tried b v court-martial if they desire. Subalterns or Senior Subalterns have the power to order a W.A.A.C. to be confined to barracks for seven days, or to admonish her, and. also to order her to perform extra duties.