OVERSEAS DISCHARGES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1948, 6 March 1919, Page 3

OVERSEAS DISCHARGES.

THE CONDITIONS

Wellington, This Day

Applications by members of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force for discharge in England have become numerous, no* fewer than ninety having to he dealt with at Base Records in one day recently. There is an excellent reason lor some of these discharges, as the soldier utilises his time in England to improve his knowledge of the business in which, be was engaged as a civilian. Thus the Dominion gains from (he increased efficiency of these enterprising men, and the Defence Department throws no obstacle in their way, so long as their dependents are not prejudiced. If the time required for picking up this knowledge is not more than three months, the soldier may secure leave for this period, one month on full pay, and the remainder without pay. However, a discharge overseas has to be subject to several important provisions, as the dependents in New Zealand must he considered. Allotments are suspended upon receipt of the cabled request for discharge, and they cease altogether on the actual date of discharge as notified from England after its approval.

if the soldier desires immediate discharge in England, inquiry has to lie made in New Zealand regarding the bona tides of the application, and it is only granted when the authorities arc satisfied that the reason is sound.

In cases of discharge abroad in lieu of return to New Zealand in normal sequence, the application is calded to New Zealand at the applicant's expense, and (lie Defence Department investigates the position from (lie viewpoint of the soldier’s dependents. The written approval of the next of kin is required and if there are dependents the Government requires a legal guarantee that (ho State will he under no liability for their maintenance us a result of the soldier’s discharge overseas. This is enforced with a bond for £3OO. These provisions are designed to prevent hardship to dependents through the stoppage of allotments upon discharge. When the procedure is complete, the approval for discharge is cabled to England. The same precautions on behalf of dependents are taken in cases of application for immediate discharge. if (he discharged soldier returns lo New Zealand within twelve months. lie will lie eniitled to receive in a lump sum the amount which the Government would have paid for his passage from England to New Zealand, had he travelled with his unit on the transport.