SECOND DIVISION OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 14, 11 October 1917, Page 5

SECOND DIVISION OFFICERS

NO GUARANTEE OP SENIORITY. \ Mr. B. A. Wright asked the Minister j of Defence in the House of Represents- ; tives-(l) What does he propose to do with regard to Second Division commission- : ea officers when they nro called' up, many of whom have (riven their services to the •> Volunteer and Territorial movements for ; vears past? (2) Whether it is not tree < that the work done by those officers has , made possible and kept in existence the -j present Territorial cystom? (3) Whether, ) if the commissions of these officers are:..; not to be lionoured. it will not be pos- ■ sible for junior officers to bo placed ] above officers who are their seniors in ; the New Zealand Army List?' ■ j Sir .Tnmes Allen replied: Whilst re- ; cognising the Rood work done by Tern- . • lorial officers belonging to the becornl ; Division, it is regretted that no gunran- j tee can be given that all such officers | will be appointed to the Expeditionary j Force with commissioned rank. The j position is duo to the fact that lnrfje j numbers of officers trained in the held ; are being returned to New Zealand for : duty in connection with the training:..,,; and omcerins of reinforcements. As .: many Second Division officers as possible j will bo granted appointments in fte Kx- / petitionary Force, but the . commissions ; to those who may be requir- \ e<l to proceed abroad in. the j rank's, will be respected during their j absence. My reply of last Wednesday to j tho honourable member for Hutt ex- .) nlains t'ic position in regard to .Terri- j lorinl officers who, owinpr In the cxigen- i eies of the service. aTe required to serve ; nbroad in the ranks of the Expeditionary I Force. ___________ 1 ' ■ : !