DEPRIVED OF STRIPES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 52, 24 November 1917, Page 3

DEPRIVED OF STRIPES

DEFENCE MINISTER'S EXPLANATION.

A complaint was recently mado tbat some 68 men of the 37th n.c.o. class were reverted to the ranks. Th© following explanation was yesterday furnished by £ho Minister of Defence (Sir Jnnics Allen): —

"In consequence of reduction in infantry reinforcements and the corresponding reduction of the number of n.c.o.'s required, it was necessary at the time, owing to there being two classes of n.c.o.'s in excess of requirements, .to reduce tho number down to normal. To effect this, it was necessary to select the most efficient probationary n.c.o.'s and transfer them back to a later n.c.o. class, the weaker probationary n.c.o.'s being reverted to the ranks, and posted to the 31st and 32nd Reinforcement drafts as privates, in order to oomplote shortages. Aβ thosTO men had_ completed one month's training as privates and five weeks in tho n.c.o. class, making a total of nine weeks' training, it was considered that they were sufficiently trained to lie posted to tho drafts namod. Tho Camp Adjutant explained tho reason of tho reversion _ and transfers to tho officer commanding companies. "A few mon who were not satisfied brought their cases forward through their company commander, which eases were satisfactorily explained. There is no reason why any of the remainder if not satisfied should not have adopted the correct military procedure. "Temporary n.c.o.'s so reverted did not'receive corporal's pay for the period they were in the n.n.o. cl.iss. .is this is not allowable hv regulations. Paragraph 45 Expeditionary Force Army .Pay Form <8: Instructions relating to pay duties,' reads as follows: Tho pay of n.c.o.'s on probation will be that of privates at Expeditionary Force rates for the first month in camp. At the expiration of that period, and on confirmation through routine orders of appointment as corporal, the bnek pay of this rank- irill h« drawn. The probationary n.c.o. will Mien receive pay as corporal until furthV temporary promotion, when tlip higher rate of pay will come into force from the elate of such promotion.' "