MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 189, 30 April 1918, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

Sir,—At the commencement of the war the Government was favourable and active in promoting the departure of volunteers, but another spirit has lately been in evidence, and whatever tlioy may now say to the contrary, exemptions have been frequently claimed by Government Departments with the utmost assurance and -unreasonableness. •The recent attempt to detain, for civil duties an officer who was actually sent out by tlw Home military authorities is a striking example of tne disregard to the urgent calls for able men for the front. The above case was brought out when the Marine Department, which ako implicated the Public Service Commissioner, asked to have exemption for a fit, single man who had eight months' training in New Zealand as u soldier and n.c.0., a voyage Home, further training, then a brief trip to Trance, then a. thorough training in an officers' trainingschool. A costly trip out to gst and train his men iu the latest methods. One military service board granted this application three months' leave, but a second, preposterous claim for indefinite leave was turned down by the board lately sitting in Wellington, on the ground that it would be breaking faith with the Home authorities. It is satisfactory to-day to read that this gentleman is actually going forth for the duties for which lie volunteered, and for which he lias such long and ample training.—l am', etc., WIN THE TO. Wellington, April 26, 191 S.