HOME SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 4

HOME SERVICE

NJJW REGULATIONS ISSUED.

The position of men who are passed as fit for homo service only is denned oy Eegnlations issued yesterday under tlio Military Service Act. The regulations provide for the establishment of a .Home Service Branch of the Expeditionary Force, and make it clear that reservists) posted to this branch may be employed' on duties connected with the war wittnn, tho Dominion. The form of organisation to be adotped for home service units is defined.

Recruits called up for military service, and also those attested as volunteers, are to be attested into the Expeditionary Force for general service, and are to be posted in the following manner:— (a) All reservists and recruits who are certified by the medical boards to be "fit for active service beyond the seas" (category A, 81, and B2) shall bo posted to the Foreign Service. Branch.

' (b) All reservists and recruits whoare certified by tho medicnl boards to bo "permanently unfit for active service beyond the seas," but "fit for servico in New Zealand in connection with or for tho purposes of tho present war" (categories Cl and C 2) I shall bo posted to the Homo Sen-ice • ' Branch. The regulations' provide for the trans-* , for'of recruits and reservists from one branch to the other in cases whore !<■ later medical examination justifies this" course. A Homo Service man who ia found at a second or subsequent examination to be fit for activß service may he transferred to tho Foreign Service> Branch, and put into training. Soldiers of the Homo Servico Branch who arc rob immediately required arc to be granted leave without pay. Until the Minister of Defence slialt otherwise direct, soldiers of tho Homo Servico Branch who are required for actual service will Ims called up from thos<n only who volunteer for such actual home. service. They will servo under the same conditions as soldiers of tho Foreign Servico Branch. The regulations make- it clear that Home Servico men. aro at tho disposal of tlio military authorities. They must mobiliso at their group headquarters or other specified centro when ordered to do so by proclamation or posted orders. Their "war organisation and establishment will ba improvised to meet any situation, that; may arise." Tho Home Servico uniform ami badges will bo "as laid down for Foreign Service, excepting puggarees, whioW will be of khaki with a centro fold ofi black." Men appointed to offices for which there is no unit, such as GeneraJl Headquarters, District Headquarters, Recruiting, Baso Records, and War Expenses, will wear tho titles and badges of, tho N.7..A.5.C.

Tho Regulations mention that soldiers of ilio Home Service BrancrT employed, on homo servico will bo organised in sections of irregular strength, ■with, suck' establishment as may be determined by, the Commandant from time fo time* Distinguishing patches for various braw clips of the service will be worn on the' lei't-hand side of tlie puggarees.