PUBLIC SERVANTS & THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2336, 18 December 1914, Page 6

PUBLIC SERVANTS & THE WAR

A STATEMENT DENIED. 'A statement was published by a correspondent in our evening contemporary that the Public Service Commissioner has refused leave of absence to officers of tho Public Service who desired to enlist in the Expeditionary Forces. This, we are informed, is quite incorrect. With the' exception of three officers whose cases were deferred for a few days and ono officer whose services could' not be spared until early in the new year every officer who desired to enlist has been granted leave of absence without question, and Mb position will be kept open for him 'until his return. In addition to tho above the Government has arranged to pay the superannuation deductions of officers who are absent with the Expeditionary Forces. The Commissioner is satisfied that it is also incorrect that heads of Departments have placed obstacles in the way of officers of their Departments who wished to join the Expeditionary Forces. Ho is aware that heads of Departments as well as officers in Departments wider their control have cheerfully endured much inconvenience while short-handed through other officers having enlisted. Up to tho present date no fewer than 417 officers of the Public Service havo been granted lcavq of absence for duty with the Expeditionary Forces, whilo in addition to that number IS2 officers of the Public Service have also been granted leave of absence while on duty at the forts, guarding cablo, wireless jtationa, eto.