RECRUITING FOR INTERIM ARMY

Chronicle (Levin), 22 May 1946, Page 2

RECRUITING FOR INTERIM ARMY

—Fress Association

PRESENT PERSONNEL TO BE DISCHARGED

By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, May 21. Piaiis are anuouaced for recruitiug an interim army in New Zealand and for tlie release by September 30 of all army personnel in New Zealand yeelting discharge.- Applications for enlistmept will be received inunediately by area oilices from tliose now aerving in Ihe New Zealand Tomporary Stafl' and in fhe mobiiised section of the tprritorial force, and from civilians. As proviously annouuced eniistments may )ie up to lMarch 31, 1948 or, if a shorter period of service is desired, up to Marc'h 31, li)-17. Immediate arrangements are to be made to release as early as possible and not later tlian September 30, all persounel in New Zealand seeking discharge. The rcleases are to be made under the following priorities: — (1) Applications for relea.se on compassionate grouuds, person al hardship or public interest will bc considcrcd on Ihe recommcndations of the National Service Deparl ment. (2) Men with overseas service of six months or mo're. (3) Men witli. more tlian four years total service. (4) Married men with children. (5) Youtlis under 20i on August 15, J 945. • ('(i) Porsons over 35. (7) Married men without children. t (8) Men witli, more tlian three years total service. ; (9) Men with more tlian two years •total service. ; ; (10) Men not iti the provious categories who desire release. ( Uortain kov persounel from priarit-ies liamed niayfQe retained to train rcjplacoments. Hueh key men arc to .be j retain'ed for ihe miniiiumi ti. ihe jhVssible ■ and are to be rclca'sed before Septem- | ber 30. i (Soiiditions of service in the interim torce will be gcnerally thc same as for | the New Zealahd Teuiporarv hjtail. The cxisting ]>ay scalc will .romahi until lMarch 31, 19l7(when it is probable that a new scalc will operate. ft is expccted tl.ie new rate of pay will not be beJow presenl rates but any scrviceman signetl on tmlil Marcli 31, J 9-1 S who is not prcpared to accept the new rates, may termiiiale his service when the old scale is no longer applicable to him. Men accepted for the interim t'orce will be consade'red for tlic post-war regular force and may receive liriorit.v emnlov-

inent in this force. The ]>eriod spent in the interim force will be credited with the regular force service and endeavonrs are being made to provide supenuinualioii bonefits for this period. Kecruits for Ihe interim force are to be given a basie training before being posted to appointments. Under existing cond'itions it is stated that it is not possible to estimale the extent to which the cxisting establishmeiit mav be tilled bv the interim army personnel. The questiou of futnre establishmonts is to be carei'nlly exaniiiied. Iiecominendalioiis are to be submitted not later tlian the ond of next mouth bv Army Headquarters concerning the minimum number of persounel considerel essential nntil reorganisation is made 011 post-war plans. Although 110 precise figure can be, rpioted, i( is estimated that the interim force strcnnfh rerpiired in the Northern Military "District will be about 700. The iireseut district strength is about 1 800.