MEN ON FURLOUGH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 233, 2 October 1943, Page 4

MEN ON FURLOUGH

LEAVE EXTENDED FOR MONTH TO RETURN TO MIDDLE EA3T (P.A.) Wellington, Oct. 1. Following an exchange of views with General Sir Bernard Freyberg. the War Cabinet has discussed the return to service with the Second Division of men in the furlough draft, stated the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. Provided always that circumstances and particularly shipping made it possible it was the Government's intention, said Mr. Fraser, that furlough for the men in the Second N.Z.E.F. should be regarded as a continuous scheme. It would be appreciated that the retention in New Zealand of any number of experienced and battletrained men would prejudice the return to New Zealand on furlough ot further men who are entitled to similar consideration, and at the same time would seriously affect the efficiency of our division. The War Cabinet had decided that with the exception of certain officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, specialists, and tradesmen, ail married men with children and ail men of 41 years of age and over should be retained in New Zealand and placed on leave without pay, but that any men within those classes desiring to return with the draft could elect to do so. Similar conditions would apply to Maoris, who in any case were not liable for compulsory service. and who under this scheme would have an opportunity of volunteering to return. The balance of furlough men were to be medically examined. and if passed fit would return to the Middle East at the expiration of their leavo. It had also been decided that all •warrant-officers, non-coms,, specialists and tradesmen, whether married or single, and married men. might, on the grounds of undue personal hardship, apply to remain in New Zealand. Those appeals should be in writing to Army headquarters, which would refer them to the appropriate Armed Forces’ Appeal Boards for hearing. In accordance with the existing practice the Appeal Board's recommendation would be forwarded to the Army for consideration. Men who remained in New Zealand might be directed to work of national importance. Leave for the furlough draft now in New Zealand would be extended till the end of October, or such time thereafter as might be necessary to enable medical examination to be completed, and for consideration of applications by the Appeal Boards from those desiring to remain in New Zealand, said Mr. Fraser.