DESERTERS PARDONED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8810, 13 August 1914, Page 7

DESERTERS PARDONED

LIABLE FOR ENLISTMENT

A pardon has been extended by His Majesty tho King to men who had deserted from the regular forces up to and including Wednesday last, the oth rnst- Intimation of this is contained in tho following cable which has been received 'by the Defence Department from the War Office, London !

"Give widest publicity to following army orders: —‘War Office, August 7th, 1914.—(Pardon for Deserters— H.M the King has been graciously pleased to sanction pardons being granted to soldiers who were in a state of desertion from the regular forces on August* sth; 1914. They must smrender themselves m the United Kingdom on or before September 4th, 1914; or at any station abroad where there are regular forces on or before October 4th, 1914. They will forfeit ail service prior to the date of surrender, hut such service may subsequently bo restored under the conditions laid down in the King’s Regulations on reBtoration of service forfeited' under section 79 of the Army Act. Deserters who enlist between August 6th, 1914, and October 4th, 1914, both days inclusive, in any colonial corps which may have been, or which has been placed at the disposal of the Imperial Government for the war will be granted a free pardon at the expiration of their service in such corps, and will not bo claimed for further service in the regular forces of the United Kingdom. They will, however, forfeit all service rendered in the regular forces of the United Kingdom prior to the date of such enrolment. The provisions of this order will not he applied to men who have fraudulently or improperly enlisted. By command of the Army Council.’ ”