DISCHARGED SOLDIEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16847, 11 May 1918, Page 7

DISCHARGED SOLDIEES.

RE-ENLISTMENT APPROVED.

SEPARATE UNITS TO BE FORMED. A proposal was recently made to . the Minister for Defence on behalf of-a number of returned soldiers that discharged men, who could be passed as fit, might be allowed to re-enlist (1) as | reinforcements •. to the tank battalion, or (2) vto be . despatched on active service as a separate body. • The Minister, in his reply, states that in regard to the first proposal, he understands that the complete establishment of the tank battalion; has been raised, from New Zealand troops already in the United Kingdom. Reinforcements ; for this particular unit will be sent forward from New Zealand in the ordinary wav as additional infantry, and no special selection of ; men will be made here; the number of men' required being . selected at* the - overseas base. In respect to the second proposal the Government will be . willing ; to accept the services of discharged soldiers in any number, provided they are- classified as medically fit for further active service. If there are sufficient only to form a platoon such number will be kept together as' a platoon. If sufficient numbers are forthcoming for the establishment of a company, or even a reinforcement, such numbers will be formed into separate unite; according to the number . re-enlisted; It. must be understood, adds the Minister, that the organisation of re-enlisted soldiers into separate units can be recognised only tin New Zealand, and until the units arrive at the overseas base. The question .of final posting to the various formations of the New Zealand Division must, of necessity, be left to the discretion of the military : authorities in the United „• Kingdom.-. .No doubt men will, as far as ' possible, •be posted to their original units. Replying to a question, the Minister said that if a returned soldier re-enlisted but was rejected his pension would not be jeopardised. If it is anticipated that largl numbers of returned soldiers will re-enlist, it will be necessary to arrange for them to be recruited through the director of recruiting and despatched to camp in bodies and at regular intervals. -V ' . The secretary of the Returned -Soldiers' Association is prepared to take the names of members who wish to re-enlist.