TERRITORIAL OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 8

TERRITORIAL OFFICERS

THE DISPUTED CASES

STATEMENT BY IHE MINISTER

Tho Minister of Defence has made a statement regarding tlie ollkers of the Territorial l-oice who been called into camp ami wJiti have Ijccii lor some months on leave with pay. These officers wero men ol the First Divisiun, wlio had not up till the time that they were called into camp joined tlie Expeditionary Force, iiiul tho fact that tnere were officers of the Territorial Force who were wearing ihe unilonn of commissioned officers who had not offered their services for the Expeditionary Force was becoming a matter of comment at the time. Tl',u Defence authorities called them into camp, but the men refused to accept rank below that in which they were rated in the Territorial Force, and they have persisted in their refusal over since.

The Minister makes the following statement :—

"It is very unfortunate that the Defence Department cannot fiiul room in tlie Expeditionary Force for all the commissioned Territorial officers ns officers, as,a number of men who have seen service am now returning to New Zealand with commissions to join reinforcement drafts. Several of the Territorial officers concerned have at ono time or another volunteered; soino have been accepted and in other cases the applications have been delayed. I believe all would have volunteered but for ties, which made it imperative for them to await their turn with other men under similar conditions. .Some came into camp and would have been only too glad to get* away, and are now eager io get away, but owing to the reduction in tho percentage of reinforcements they had to be held back. It is very much regretted that thfc men should have to come in as sergeants, but every effort will be made after they come into camp to find places for them with their commissions. I am sure they would not wish to Temnin behind in New Zealand for the sake of n commission when ttje call is so urgent.