SOLDIERS’ LEAVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 4 February 1942, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ LEAVE

UNIFORM SYSTEM FORCES IN NEW ZEALAND ARRANGEMENTS FOR FURLOUGH The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones,} in a statement announced the following leave privileges for members of! the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary J Force in the Dominion, Territorial ! Force, National Military Reserve and Guards, Vital Points. Twenty-live per cent, of strengths will be granted: (a) Ordinary leave from Monday to Fridays—from 6 p.m. to 11.59 p.m. (b) Ordinary week-end leave—from 1 p.m. on Saturday to 11.59 p.m. on Sunday. (c) Long week-end leave for part of the 25 per cent, under (b) from 6 pm. on Friday to 7 a.m- on Monday. (d) Special long week-end leave as in (c) plus the time necessary (but not exceeding an additional 48 hours) to allow men from distant areas time to have 24 hours at home. (e) Furlough: Each man will receivc once in 4 months sufficient leave to have 7 days at home. Mr June-, said that the intention is that officers and other ranks be granted week-end leave once a month, to enable them to have approximately 24 hours at home. Long week-end leave will enable personnel stationed at outlying camps, etc., to visit the nearest large centre; but the* special long week-end leave referred to in (d) is for those men whose homes are at considerable distances from their camp or station. “In regard to furlough,” said Mr Jones, “this will be granted after three months’ continuous full-time service, and as it must be so arranged that not more than 10 per cent, of the unit is absent at any one time, some of the personnel must be prepared to wait for longer than U:? completion of the three months’ qualifying period before they can obtain this privilege.” “While on ordinary leave, weekend leave or furlough as above,” said Mr Jones, “there will be no deduction from pay. and when proceeding on furlough all ranks will be given free return travelling warrants to their home town or place of enlistment. It must be understood that travelling warrants are not issuable for any type of leave except furlough.” Mr Jones stated the above arrangements are in addition to the existing provisions for the grant of special leave in cases of bereavement or serious illness of a near relative, or for domestic or urgent business reasons. Mr Jones expressed his regret that the war situation necessitated the cancellation of Christmas leave and the disappointment this occasioned the troops and their relatives. The granting of leave and furlough must be kept in proper relation to defence and security requirements, and it may be necessary at any time to countermand or curtail the privileges according to changing conditions.