NO FORMAL GOOD-BYES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3047, 7 April 1917, Page 10

NO FORMAL GOOD-BYES

to- future ; drafts,

The next-of-kin arrangements in connection with the departure of troops for tiny-front bavins recently. ,been : revised,' the following statement, on.the subject was issued by the.Defence authorities to-day:— v "Hitherto ' the-Dcfeuco Department ■has provided special facilities for enabling next-of-kin to say 'good-bye' to f troops on leaving for the front. This was done by supplying next-of-kin.with , next-of-kin tickets a -fortnight or so in advance, and'by'setting aside a special enclosure on the wharf for the use of holders' of these tickets, only on the date of departure. These arrangements have now had to'bo cancelled for the reason that it has become necessary to observe the greatest secrecy regarding the departure of drafts for the front. This' being so, the Defence Department can no longer acquaint next-of-kin with the probable date of departure'of contingents, nor can it make any. arrangements at port or ports of embarkation for the -. convenience of next-of-kin on such occasions. Indeed, all that ca;: be done for next-of-kin in this respect is to open-the camps to next-of-kin of each draft as. that particular draft is, neariiig the final stage of its training, .which period is generally known. Arrangements have been made at the camps accordingly. Next- "~ of-kin will understand that these extra precautions are taken solely in the interests of the safety of tho men while they are. at sea, and are not due. to callousness on the part of anybody. At the same time the Defence Department desires to- state that there is no occasion for special alarm in this connection. The step taken has been in operation for two months now, and enabling as it does the maintaining of greater secrecy, minimises proportionately. the chances of the enemy learning tho movements of our transports; The Defence Department-hopes that by the issue of this information needless inconvenience and expense to next-of-kin will he avoided, and further that next-of-kin, when their men are on, 'final leave will n<:>kr> +hat the occasion' for ssi'-Mio: 'Good-bye.'-"Parcels for-men on the transports may be forwarded eitljor to the men in camp or scat fnilv addressed (number, rank;'name, unit) to t'V men caro of The Shipping; Officer. K Shed. Glasgow Wharf, Wellington.' Parcels sent to the latter address v should be marked 'For uso on voyhgo.'