GRADE II MEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22486, 22 January 1943, Page 4

GRADE II MEN

Service In Pacific Islands Approved By Cabinet (N.Z.P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 21, The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply and Munitions, who is in Christchurch at present, and to whom certain questions were referred to by “The Press,” Christchurch, stated today that he had taken the matter up with the Hon F. Jones, Minister of Defence. Mr Sullivan stated that Mr Jones had advised that the War Cabinet has approved of Grade 11. men being dispatched to certain Pacific Islands for garrison duty. Mr Jones stated that up to the present only soldiers who are graded I. and who are between the ages of 21 and 41 years have been sent beyond New Zealand for service in the present war. but it is considered that Grade 11. men could quite well be utilised for this duty. In the particular islands to which Grade 11. men would be sent for garrison duties, the climate was healthy and the islands were practically free from any virulent tropical disease. Particular care would be taken that soldiers selected for this sendee were physically suitable.

“This scheme,” said Mr Jones, “will, in addition, relieve units now in the islands, consisting of Grade I. men, who will become available to proceed to more important duties elsewhere, and will implement the general policy of conserving Grade I. men for duty which cannot be carried out by personnel of a lower medical grading. £t will also enable 'well-trained Grade 11. men to take up an important duty and relieve them from the boredom of continuous service in New Zealand, on which some of them have been employed since the outbreak of the war. It is antipated, therefore, that the men selected will welcome the opportunity of serving in the islands, which are regarded as important outposts in the scheme of defence of New Zealand.”

Mr Jones stated that, normally, the Grade 11. serving soldiers who will be dispatched will be between the ages of 21 and 41 years (inclusive), but men in the same medical category who have passed their twentieth birthday will be given the opportunity to volunteer on submitting the written consent of both parents, or of their guardian. In addition soldiers who have passed their forty-first birthday and whose medical grading is either Grade I. or Grade II may also volunteer.