POSITION OF MEN IN BALLOT

Southland Times, Issue 24300, 4 December 1940, Page 8

POSITION OF MEN IN BALLOT

SERVICE IN OVERSEAS FORCES (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 3. The position of the men drawn in the first overseas ballot and who have also been drawn in one or other of the two previous ballots for the Territorial Force was explained in a statement made by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) today.

“If a man who is drawn is in either of the territorial ballots and has not been despatched to camp his services in that force will be suspended and he will not be sent to camp until it is known whether he is available for the Expeditionary Force,” said the Minister. “If there is no appeal in respect of his service overseas or such appeal' is disallowed he will, if medically fit, be released from Territorial Force obligations and in due course will be posted to the Expeditionary Force. If his appeal is allowed the position regarding territorial service will then be determined.

“Similarly, a man already training in a Territorial Force camp, as soon as it ■is known he is available for the Expeditionary Force, will be given the option of continuing his service in the territorials or being released at once from that force. If he elects to continue territorial training he will continue training until the completion of the usual three months or until required to go into the Expeditionary Force camp, whichever is the earlier. If he elects to be released he will be discharged from camp at once. A voluntary member of the territorials who is drawn in the overseas ballot will be treated in exactly the same way and will be given the same option as the men who have been called up for territorial service.

“It will be appreciated,” said Mr Jones, “that those who are at present in territorial camps should not be released until it is clear that they will be available to join the Expeditionary Force. Therefore, if an appeal against overseas service is made it will be necessary for a man to continue his training until the result is known.” The Minister added that if any man called in the ballot wished to make enquiries regarding his position he should communicate with the nearest Army Office.