PAY OF SERVICES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 7 October 1942, Page 2

PAY OF SERVICES

WOMEN AND SOLDIERS HOME GUARD CONDITIONS Christchurch, Oct. 6. The Minister of Defence, Mr F. D. Jones, has given answers to a series of questions, put to him by a newspaper correspondent, on matters pertaining to service pay and conditions. To the question that women in the forces should receive the same pay and conditions as soldiers, the Minister said that women in the three services are paid at the uniform rate, which is lower than the soldiers’ rate of pay. The rate is considered reasonable and adequate, and it is not proposed to place women on the same rate as soldiers. The conditions for women and soldiers are approximately the same with respect to free medical and dental treatment, free issue of clothing, subsistence allowance, leave, mufti allowance on discharge, financial assistance, and occupational re-employment. The suggestion that the living-out allowance be raised to five shillings a day was under consideration, Mr Jones said.

In answer to the request that all Home Guard members be medically examined and, if passed fit. that they be paid for all parades, Mr Jones said it was not considered necessary to medically examine all members of the Home Guard. Their restricted hours of training and operational role were such that, generally speaking, every able-bodied man was required to serve. Provision is made, however, for medical examination before enlistment of men who claim exemption on grounds of unfitness or whose medical fitness is doubtful. Provision is also made for the medical examination of men who, after enlistment, appear to be, or become, medically unfit. It was not

proposed to pay Home Guardsmen for attendance at parades. Parades were normally held at week-ends or nights, and did not interfere with civil employment . Where parades extended lor a period of six hours or over, rations were provided, or an allowance was made in lieu of rations —PA,