SPEEDING UP RELEASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26198, 8 July 1946, Page 6

SPEEDING UP RELEASE

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER “The interim army was formed for the express purpose of enabling those men who desired to be released from the army to achieve that end,” said the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, to whom the above comments were referred. “As more recruits are enlisted, more serving personnel can be released. It is hoped that sufficient volunteers will be recruited in New Zealand by September 30 to enable the service to be maintained while those who desire their release are permitted to return to civil life.” * Mr Jones added that suitable men of the interim army would be given an opportunity to join the regular forces. “It must be clearly understood," he said, “that every consideration will be given to those men who have served overseas and who desire to join the regular forces. Trained men with overseas experience are desirable for a regular army.” The Minister said that there had been a gratifying response to the inquiry for men to serve in the air force, and men were also being recruited for continuous service in the navy. In these services it was hoped that sufficient recruits would come forward so that those now serving could be. released if they desired it. “The whole question of the future defence of this country, as was stated recently,” he said, “is to be discussed by the War Council, and it is examining the conditions of service in the army, navy, and air force and the pay of men in these services.”