THE FURLOUGH SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 22, 21 October 1918, Page 6

THE FURLOUGH SCHEME

AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION.. While the Prime Minister was in London he found that there was a great deal of misapprehension among tho New Zealand soldiers regarding the provision the Dominion was making lor them and their dependants. Men who had been absent from Now Zealand for several years had not got full information about the pension 'and repatriation laws passed during their absence. Mr. Massey accordingly prepared a pamphlet setting out briefly the provision made by New Zealand for members of the Expeditionary Forces and their dependants, and this was printed by the War Office and distributed to the men. The pamphlet deals briefly and clearly with furlough, soldiers' settlements, pay, and pensions, the training of partially incapacitated men, and the financial assistance scheme. / The rules governing the granting of furlough to men who have had three years' service are set out clearly in this pamphlet, and it does not appear that there should have been any misunderstanding on the point. The scheme is summarised as follows:— Officers. The following officers will be returned to New Zealand each month to bring out reinforcements: — From infantry and machine-gun units combined 17 N.Z. Maori (Pioneer) Battalion... 1 Other divisional units and 2nd KZ.F.A. Brigade 4 Tunnelling Company, every two months 1 Cyclist Corps, every three months 1 Otago Mounted Rifles, every three months 1 Light Railway Operating Company, every six months 1. N.C.O.'s and Men. ' Fifty-seven n.c.o.'s and men (subject to shipping accommodation being available) will be sent back to New Zealand on duty furlough each month, namely— From N.Z. Divisional Units 50 ' „ 2nd N.Z.F.A. Brigade and B.A.C 3 „ Light Railway Operating Company 1 „ Otago Mounted Rifles 1 „ N.Z. Cyclist Corps 1 „ N.Z.E. Tunnelling Company... 1

All ranks granted duty furlough must have been absent on service from New Zealand over three years and their applications for return must be recommended by their commanding officers.

The selection of officers and other ranks for duty furlough will, in the case ofdivisonal units, 2nd N.Z.F.A. Brigade, and 8.A.C., he made by tho G.0.C., N.Z. Division, and in the case of all other units by tho O.C. of the unit concerned.

The selection must bo made at such lime as will enable those selected to be dispatched for •Knglanct on the first of every month. ' . ' Those selected will be required to do duty on the voyage. On arrival in New Zealand they will be given 28 days' leave on full pay and a -.eturn railwaypass to their 'homos. An agreement setting forth tho conditions of return will require to be signed by all those mentioned in subparas. (1) and (2), before embarkation for New Zealand.

The pamphlet explained that applications from all ranks for special leave on urgent private business could be made independently of length of service, and would be by the military, service boards in New Zealand. Applications could be made by cablegram at cost ; of the applicant. The reply from New Zealand would be cabled in all cases. Officers and other ranks who had been absent from 'New Zealand over three years continuously mio;lit be given the option of two months' leave in the United Kingdom, in lieu of return to New Zealand, to an extent permitted by the exigencies of the service.