FALSE DECLARATIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20072, 19 October 1939, Page 2

FALSE DECLARATIONS

MEN IN SPECIAL FORCE TROUBLE CAUSED “Considerable inconvenience has been caused to an already overworked staff at the Defence Office by men enlisting for service and making false statements as, to their age,” said Major J. W. Barry, area officer, Wanganui. Major Barry was referring to the Special Force being raised by the Government' for home or overseas service. “In many cases file'; have been finished, travelling warrants issued and notices dispatched calling these men to camp; the nominal rolls have been finished and forwarded to headquarters and the names published as having been accepted and called up for service. Then a few days before the draft is to proceed to camp the Army Department has received notice that persons were under age and have made false declarations. “Far from these people doing a service for their country, they have been doing a distinct disservice,” said Major f’-arry. “Apart from the unnecessary work and disorganisation, it has often been found out too late to fill the vacancies so caused in the draft, and where it has been possible to fill the vacancies it has meant that the additional men called up have received the briefest notice—in three eases in Wanganui less than 24 hours’ notice.” There had been several cases of men making false declarations as to their age who had received free dental treatment.