FINES ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1919, Page 4

FINES ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

THE REMISSION POLICY

WjJuangton, This Day.

A special Court of Inquiry was recently set up by the Defence Department to consider applications for remission of fines and forfeitures incurred under Section 46 of the Army Act. The reason for this action is that it is considered, by the authorities only fair to soldiers who have given good service in the field, and have cleared their record, that the monetary penalties incurred in I order to enforce discipline during active service and training should | now be refunded. Under the stress of war obligations, men came from civil life, and were rapidly trained to military duties. It was essential to secure a high level of military discipline, apd this had often to be enforced by the punishment of 4 foifeitnre of pay. Examination of the records of punishment shows that the Zealand soldier was not prone to serious offences. Absence without leave for short periods, and minor military offences which tended to impair good discipline, comprises the bulk pi delinquencies. These offences had to be checked, so as not to impair the efficiency of the whole force, but now the time of stress is over the authorities can take an easier view of the situation, and the result will be the remission of a large number of forfeitures of pay. Hundreds of applications for remissions have already been received by the Director of Base Records, and the Court of Inquiry has laid down important general principles on which it will take action. It will decline to grant remissions for such serious offences as the following:—-Deser-tion, insubordinate to, an officer, self-inflicted wounds, theft, uttering forged documents, or absence from duty during action. Consideration of applications for remissions will be given for ordinary offences only in cases where the soldier has a clear record of six months, where he has been promoted on the field, or vyhere he has received an award or decoratiou. ’ The decision of the Court is com- j municated to the soldier concerned, and also to the Officer in Charge of War Expenses, who vyill make the necessary adjustment of the pay account.