SELECTING OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2582, 2 October 1915, Page 6

SELECTING OFFICERS

. YOUTHFUL APPOINTEES AND SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. 'An explanation of the method..of selection of officers was given by tlie Defence Minister yesterday in reply to a question in the -Houso of Representatives. Mr. .W .'A'. Twitch'asked, the Minister to- explain to -the House tlio' method of selection of officers for the' Reinforcements, and to explains also why more consideration was not given to veterans from the South' African: War.: 'The' Hon. J. Allen; .The method of selection is as follows Those wEo hold commissions in the Territorial Forces have preference, because they air bow hold commissions. But they do.not go into camp with their commissions 'confirmed] they go in with' probationary commissions, and they have to stand tlio test of training in camp before having their commissions confirmed. An honourable member: Pass examinations? " . Mr. Allen: They have all had their examinations before they corn's in. Every officer in the; Territorial Forces has to pass an examination beforo getting his commission . However, these officers do not meet the whole of the demand, and suitable men are invited to apply. They como .'in oil the'recommendation of the Officer Commanding the District, and they are sent as non-commissioned officers to a special training camp along with the, officers five weeks before the men of. the force to:which they are to be posted l como in. >•• They go through a special.''course, for five 'weeksj and towards : the end-of -that, period they are allowed to sit ' for' a commission. If tliey pass that examination, aid if there is room for them in the contingent. to which:' they belong, they are granted commissions in that body. Some .of them are allowed to remain, if they so desire, and. to go as commissioned officers with the next draft. /. Most' of them, however, prefer to go with their own. force as non-commissioned' officers. I don't know of any more satisfactory way of appointing suitable officers.' 'It is said that many youthful men are being appointed as officers, but it must be recollected that these forces are going as Reinforcements, and the .Commanding Officer, who has with him many officers who had been tested in actual'war, does not want many senior officers. He wants, junior officers. So far as I know the young officers of the Territorial Force are good officers, and though there may be here and there one without the strength' of character possessed bv others, that happens everywhere, . not only in Now Zealand. Dr. Newman repeated the question about tlio South African- veterans. Mr. Allen; They get exactly the same 1 chance as others. If they hoi? commissions they may go ; in ; ivith: those commissions. . If they don't' hold commissions they must come in. as noncommissioned officers and take their'chance with the others, " ■ '