MILITARY MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9717, 20 July 1917, Page 6

MILITARY MATTERS

INFORMATION WANTED. Further questions on Defence matter* were pur to the Minister for Defence in tho House yesterday. Mr Vernon Reed, member for Bay of Islands, asked—Whether it is correct that the Military 'Boards are exempting First Division. reservists for several months ahead; and, if so, whether it is the intention to allow these exemptions to stand, and for the vacancies so caused to be filled by Second Division, men? Another question by Mr Reed was whether it is true that there arc still in the Defence Department many officers and nou-commissionod officers eligible in the First Division who have not yet had the opportunity of proceeding to the front; and if so, will arrangements he made to enable these soldiers to join the Expeditionary Force ? A query by ill' W. H. Field (Otabi) was whether it is correct that promotions of non-commissioned officers are made tntireiy on tho recommendation of officers commanding companies, which recommendation is invariably approved by the hjgher military authorities ; and whether, if -this is the method of promotion, it tvould not bo fairer if the men were put to » test by examination as to their efficiency? •Mr Field also wants to know whothee it is not correct that even now there are men engaged on fatigue or other homo service duties in tho campe and elsewhere under the Defence Department who are fit for active service; and, if this is true, whether the Minister will not take steps to see that the places of such men shall he filled by returned soldiers, or by others who are unfit for active service, and thus relieve to some extent tho serious depletion of men engaged in rural and other essential industries? A question by Mr Hunter (Waipawal was: Whether the Minister will give instructions to the Medical Boards to make the first medical examination of reservists more thorough, or take such steps as may he necessary to protect reservists from the loss and Hardship caused by tbeir being passed as medically fit„_ cent into camp, and jmmeriately rejected?