ARMY RELEASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24541, 25 March 1943, Page 2

ARMY RELEASES

SYSTEM EXPLAINED CHANGES IN PROCEDURE THREE CLASSES OF SOLDIER i P A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Important changes in procedure in connection with the release of men from the armed forces were explained in a statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, issued to-night. in future, Mr. Fraser said, all releases would, in the first instance, be handled by district manpower officers instead of by armed forces appeal boards. This applied to releases initiated, follow-1 ing the recent survey of manpower with the Army, by the National Service Department and to individual applications on the ground of public interest or hardship made by employers for the release of a particular soldier, or by a soldier himself, or some relative or interested person. Applications for release by soldiers under 20 constituted an exception and wore required to bo made direct to unit commanders. Needs of Important Industries In accordance with the decision to release from the Army selected men who were required for important industries a complete survey of men in the Army had been made in order to determine the number available and suitable for employment in those industries. A preliminary selection was being made by the National Service Department from survey cards and particulars would then be sent to district manpower officers who would investigate the circumstances and, if necessary, interview the proposed employer and soldier to determine the needs of the industry or business and the suitability of the soldier. They would also ascertain from the soldier's unit commander, if this was not already known, whether the soldier could reasonably bo released from military service. If it was decided that a soldier should be released he would be given a direction order directing him to report to a manpower officer or particular employer, the Prime Minister continued. Ev.erv man released to industry would be given a reasonable choice of employment and, of course, had the right of appeal to a manpower appeal committee. Individual Applications Where a man's release was sought hy an employer or by the man himself, or some other person on his behalf, it would now be necessary for application to be made to the local manpower officer. If after investigation it was decided the release should be made the manpower officer would take the necessary action. In the case of a man under 20, Mr. Fraser said, it would be necessary for him to complete a special application form from the unit orderly room. His release would be made without the intervention of the manpower officer, but he would be required to report within seven days after his release, either personally or in writing, to the local manpower officer in order that control might be exercised to prevent the youth engaging in an unimportant or blind alley occupation. The War Cabinet bad decided that a soldier's army pay and dependants' and other allowances would continue for 14 days after his release and he would be given a free travelling warrant to his home or placo where he was required to report. Men ol Overseas Class The object was to ensure that consistent with the fulfilment of obligations to furnish the required reinforcements for overseas service and to maintain essential home defence establishments as many men as possible were released for employment in industry, said Mr. Fraser. It followed that men eligible for overseas service and members of the Navy and Air Force would bo released only in very exceptional circumstances and also that every effort would be made to release from industry for the armed forces the maximum number of men belonging to the overseas | class. The armed forces appeal hoards would continue to perform important functions in connection with release, Mr. Fraser concluded. In the first place, they would be required to review the postponement of military service of all men in the overseas class so as to ensure that no man was held on postponement who could be spared from industry. The boards would also have to deal with those cases which would ,be referred to them by manpower officers in which the release of a man in the overseas class from Navy or Air Force was sought by the man himself or some interested person. DEATH IN THEATRE ELDERLY WOMAN'S FATE An elderly woman collapsed and died in a picture theatre at St. Heliors Bay last night. She was Mrs. Mary Anderson Ludecke, ol 24 Speight Road. Kohimarama. Mrs. Ludecke had gone to the pictures alone, and became ill just as the programme commenced. INCREASED WOOL PRICE PAYMENT IN FULL SOUGHT (0.C.) WANGANUI. Wednesday Protesting against the action of the New Zealand Government in retaining portion of the increased woo! price and paying a percentage in non-transferable stock, a public meeting of farmers from Wanganui, Waitotara and Waimarino counties agreed to-day that il the increase granted by the British Government was not paid in full the Sheepowners' Federation and the Farmers' Union should take legal action to obtain payment A resolution on these lines was carried unuaniniously. BOOTS FOR JUNGLE NON-SKID PATTERN SOLES 10.C.) CHRISTCIIURCH. Wednesday Men of the New Zealand Division [serving in the Pacific are all equipped with special boots for jungle conditions. These jungle boots, which have heavy rubber soles and canvas uppers, are manufactured in Christchurch by a rubber company and they have met with the approval of officers of the United States forces who have served in the Pacific The heavy soles, which are made on a non-skid pattern, are noiseless, and the rubber is thick enough to give proI tection in rough country. The canvas I uppers are better for tropical conditions than leather, which develops I fungus growths in the steamy atmosphere of the jungle. The hoots come higher up round the ankle than the usual boot, and the waterproof tongues are a protection against leeches and poisonous insects. A large order was placed for these tungle boots, but since the equipping of the New Zealand Division, production of the remainder has been held back until reports are received as to how the boots arc standing up to active service, and whether improvements cati be made. There has been a ready market with country Home Guard units in Canterbury for factory seconds and spoils, tho boots being particularly good for walking on shingle. Deer-stalkers have also tried out the boots with success, TIMBER ON LINE A piece of timber was found in the points on the northern railwav line near the Mount Eden station at about eight o'clock on Tuesday night. The discovery was made by a shunter before any mishap occurred on the section, which is •continually in use at about that time, [ Police inquiries are being made.