ARMED FORCES RELEASES

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1946, Page 5

ARMED FORCES RELEASES

— Press Association

OVER 85,000 IN ELEVEN MONTHS

Bv Telectraph-

WELLINGTON, Julv 21. Since YJ Day, 85,846 ser\ icetnen and women have been released froni the Armed Forces, said the Minister of Defence today. The Royal Xew Zealand Xavy has been reduced from 10,557 to 275S. Furlher reductions would .take place and it was expected by Septeniber 30, all the hostilities only personnel, except those serving on the Achilles, will be released. The Army strength on YJ Day was 52,931 plns 1500 in transit from Britain. Since then 48,135 have been released. • ( The present strength overseas, including new recruits for tlic J Foree an/i in Xew Zealand, is .13,801. In round figures, this comprises 5000 in :New Zealand, 8000 in the J Foree and' replacemenls, and 500 Victory Parade, | Middle East and Bi itain. By Aeptenvber > 30, some 4000 rara now overseas will ; have beeiydeiupfjilised. Personn.pl serv- I ing i 11 ' -X"ew"" Zealand wilt "■be- released lj.A'; tlfa^. dg.te' nulfts^Jhey .yolqitteer for |. ; s'e-fyti C jM6rifn vAymy now beihg , The R.X.Z/A.F.' haJ a strength of s 33,426 011 YJ Day. Hince then 29,912 have been released. The present ' strength is 5058, including recruits for the int orini Air Foree. Of these 446 are at present under action for release. I Applieal ions for the intevim Air Foree' which ceased 011 Julv 15, included 2605 J from serving personnel, 1207 from ro- j servists .769 from the A.T.C. and 2750 j l'rom eivilians. Tho Minister said that the aohieve- j ment in releasing more tlian 85,000 ; service mcn and women to civilian oe.- i eupations during the past eleven j month s, was ontstanding in view of the still lavge remaining. liabilities o'f Ihe recent war including the .T Force« and replacements. As those linhilities diminishpd the future rate of demohilisation would be accelorated.