FIT MEN REJECTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 10

FIT MEN REJECTED

Sir Your article "Troops in Training" in Saturday's issue, also the figures quoted showing that of the men so far passed as fit for the second draft of the special force only just half are cincle, has given food for deep thought for many ex-soldiers whose services, have so far heen refused for the special force solely because they do not see fit to tell untruths about their age. t According to your article, leavening of ex-soldiers is of considerable value to tiie recruits, also to their officers and instructors, and there is no possible doubt about the truth of this statement. For last war the ages right through were 20 to 45, but for some unexplained reason this time the top age is now set at 35. Here in our district are. fo ' ir turned men all single, aged 41 and 42 who have gone to the trouble and expense of getting doctors who sat on the local medical board to them. All can pass as fit A. but mquirv both at the local recruiting office and'at Auckland headquarters-has resulted in blank refusal. . Two had specialist courses during last war and one of these two has had vears of experience since then in executive positions where actual leadership of men as well as control of them was the vital requirement. The official attitude which would saddle the country with the expense of keeping inexperienced men and their dependents rather than take fit. single men who will need only a fresher course is one it is hard to follow. To us, the wastage of _ potentially good material is bewildering, and to say the least, not very complimentary. In conclusion 1 would like to see this matter thrashed out and an officn statement obtained. Ist. Ts./i.K.B.