FOR ALLIED NATIONALS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 169, 20 July 1942, Page 4

FOR ALLIED NATIONALS

ENLISTING IN FORCES (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Nationals of Allied countries who wish to enlist in the army or air force may do so under a procedure which has been explained by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser. He said that in view of the fact that there was only a relatively small number of these nationals residing in New Zealand, the formation of separate national units was impossible, but those men who desired to serve and were accepted would be posted to New Zealand units. "It has been decided that men who desire to enlist must, before making application in the ordinary way, obtain from their Consular representative a permit authorising them to serve with the New Zealand forces," said Mr. Fraser. "When the necessary permit has been obtained, application for enlistment should be made in the ordinary way to the service concerned. "The conditions of service for Allied nationals enlisting under this arrangement will be the same as those applying to British subjects in all major respects, such as rates of pay and allowances, pensions, and promotion. Such nationals will also be treated on the same footing as British subjects in regard to rehabilitation after the war, provided, of course, that they are ordinarily resident in New Zealand. "With regard to American citizens," said Mr. Fraser, "the foregoing precedure is modified by an arrangement which has been made on a reciprocal basis between the Governments of the United States and New Zealand. Under this arrangement any American citizen who offers himself for service with the New Zealand Forces will be given an opportunity of electing to serve with the forces of his own country."