Untitled

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 August 1915, Page 3

Mr Colvin to ask the Minister of Defence, Whether ho will explain tu the House uiid the country the system by which commissions are granted to memburs of the Reinforcements drafts of the New Zealand Expeditionary force? [Note.---Tho newspapers daily report cases of young men of good education who have gone from New Zealand to England and have obtained commissions in the Imperial Aj-my. Many of these young men have already distinguished themselves at the front, both in Flanders and Gallipoli. tSince Ministers have stated the first duty of New-Zealanders is to their own country, steps should be taken to secure the services of these young men with i the Dominion's Forces.] The Hon. Mr Allen (Minister of Defence) replied, The system of appointment of officers for the Reinforcements in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has already been explained in -\ memorandum on the subject laid bofore Parliament. Thore is no dearth of officers for Reinforcements and no shortage of officers with good qualifications ojFering. I am not disposed to put any difficulties in the way of gentlemen who consider they have the necessary qualifications and are obliged to wait their 'turn 'for appointment in New Zealand trying their fortune in '■)gland, and am only too pleased l<> know that in many instances they have been successful in obtaining commissions in the Imperial regiments. Dr A. K. Newman to ask the Gov-, eminent, Whether they will try to nmka some joint arrangement with Commonwealth Government whereby our sicK and wounded soldiers can be speedily brought from base hospitals to the healthy climate of New Zealand.*? The Hon Mr Allen (Minister of Defence) replied. A considerable number of returning sick have been brought

to Australia and transhipped hore The despatch of sick and wounded h under the direction of the medical scr vices at tho base hospitals, but arrangeniente were made with the Imperia authorities to , eend hack to New Zealand the sick and wounded who would not , bo available again for the liringline, whilst thoso who would be sc available were to be sent by way of Egypt and 'Malta to England.