LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2914, 28 October 1916, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

RE TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS

AND THE MILITARY SERVICE ACT. .

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Several instances havo occurred where capable men have accepted temporary appointments in the Territorial Force vice officers on "active service," and as some of these" officers, being single men, and others eligible to rejoin different branches of the services are anxious to servo with the N.Z. Expeditionary Forces, they learn on asking to be enrolled for "active service" as privates, not as officers, that ia terms of their appointment that they cannot resign thoir •commisskvn during the period of hostilities. They are thus prevented from proceeding on active service with any arm of the services. Possibly this may be done with the idea of carrying on the training of our Territorials, • seeing that so many officers have already left on active service with the Expeditionary Force's. Still, the officers who remain bohind with a temporary commission to carry on this training should bo enltitled to some cousideration in view of the "Military Service- Act." Are the Defence Department going to retain these temporarily appointed officers for home service, or is exemption, accompanied by a .budge and certificate, going to bo granted them immediately, on account of their services being required in the Dominion, so that the finger of scorn cannot be pointed at them? They at least are trying their best to instil the military spirit and esprit dp corps into the .young manhood of our Dominion, and under the circumstances it should bo made clear that thoi' are not shirking their responsibilities.— I am, etc.,

ONE OF THE MANY. [Defence Headquarters states that in no case will a Territorial.officer holding a, temporary appointment in the Territorial Force be refused permission to proceed to the front if he enlists in the Expeditionary Force. It is not to provide, commissions in tho Expeditionary Force for all Territorial officers who apply. _ -.But if the Territorial officer is willing to serve in the ranks and take his chance of promotion later, Headquarters will grant permission on application. A group commander might urgo reasons why it would be difficult to spare an officer holding a temporary Territorial commission, but if the officer concerned feels that he ought to' go arrangements will be niado. All Territorial officers

now in New Zealand aro subject to tlio chances of the ballot under the Military Service Aot, and will bo enlisted in the ordinary way if their names are drawn.]