THIRTY-SEVENTH N.C.O. CLASS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17171, 26 November 1917, Page 6

THIRTY-SEVENTH N.C.O. CLASS.

SIXTY-EIGHT MEN REDUCED. STATEMENT BY GENERAL ROBIN. Owing to the reduction in the reinforcement quota, the Defence Department, unfortunately, has been compelled to reduce to the ranks approximately 68 men of the 37th non-commissioned officers' class. This naturally led to a certain amount of dissatisfaction, and at the request of the Minister of Defence, the following explanatory statement with regard to the position has been made to him by Major-general Sir A. W. Robin (General Officer Commanding: the New Zealand Defence Forces) :— "In consequence of tho reduction in infantry reinforcements andi tho corresponding reduction of tho number of non-com-missioned officers required, it was necessary, owing to there being two classes of noncommissioned officers in excess of requirements, to reduce the number to normal. To effect this, it was necessary to select the most efficient probationary non-commis-sioned officers and transfer them back to a later non-commissioned officers' class, the weaker probationary non-commissioned officers being reverted to the ranks and posted to the 31st and 32nd Reinforcement drafts as privates in order to complete the shortages. As these men had completed one month's training as privates and five weeks in tho non-commissioned officers' class, making a total of nine weeks' training, it was considered that they were sufficiently trained to be posted to the drafts named. The camp adjutant explained the reason of the reversions and transfers to tho officers commanding companies. A few men who were not satisfied brought their cases forward through their company commander, which cases were satisfactorily explained. There is no reason why any of the remainder, if not satisfied, should not have adopted this correct military procedure. Temporary non-commissioned officers so reverted do not receive corporal's pay for the period they were in the noncommissioned officers' class, as this is not allowable by the regulations. Paragraph 45. 'E.F. Army pay form 78, instructions relating to pay duties,' reads as follows:—. 'The pay of non-commissioned officers on' probation will be that of privates at Expeditionary Force rates for tho first month in ca.mp. .At the expiration of that period, and on confirmation through routine orders of anointment as corporal, the back pay of this rank will bo drawn. The probationary non-commissioned officer will then receive pay as corporal until further temporary Promotion, when the higher rato of pay will come into force from the date of such promotion.' "