CHRISTMAS LEAVE

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22514, 24 November 1944, Page 2

CHRISTMAS LEAVE

AIRMEN IN DOMINION WELLINGTON, Friday The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, replying in the House of Representatives to an urgent 'question by Mr W. S. Goosman (Oppo-sition--—Waikato), said successful negotiations had been made with the Railway Department and shipping companies to enable the majority of Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel serving in the Dominion to be at their homes over the Christmas period. “Under those arrangements,” Mr Jones explained, “travel outside the approved dates was limited to avoid a clash of demand for rail travel between the public and the Air Force. Personnel are required to take only part of their annual leave, so that they may enjoy the benefit of the Christmas or New Year leave period authorised. Five days’ special leave lias been authorised, which will not count against annual leave.”

Mr Goosman had asked whether it was correct that a large number of Air Force personnel must take their annual holidays between December 18 and 28 and that such personnel would not be permitted to travel on the railways before or after that' period. Did the Minister realise, he asked, that many of the men’s wives had been directed to industry and their annual leave would not coincide with the period December 18 to 28? The Minister said later that holiday arrangements for Army personnel were not yet completed, but an announcement would be made in due course.