HOME SERVICE MEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2048, 30 October 1919, Page 3

HOME SERVICE MEN.

STILL LIABLE FOB TEKIOTO RIAL TRAINING.

Some misapprehension appears to exist as to whether or not men who have been engaged in home service are liable to Territorial training. There has been considerable controversy on this matter, as it was contended that the Act was not plain on the point, and that home service men could not on demobilisation be called upon for further (raining as territorials. . In ibis connection a correspondent, signing himself “Interested,” writes to the editor of the N.Z. Times as under: — “.Sir. —Can you tell me whether demobilised home service men are liable for Territorial Induing? My ease is as follows: 1 ottered my services for (he front no less (ban five limes, and was rejected on each occasion, 'As I was anxious (o do something for my country, I at last look on home service, and was employed for two years as a soldier clerk in the office of the Director of Recruiting. On seeking civilian employment, 1 was told 1 must Join the Territorials. It is a well-known fact that there are men who never had the pluck to volunteer, but waited to be forced, under compulsion, to the front, who, on returning to New Zealand, arc not liable to the provisions of the Defence Act of 1909. Surely, Sir, I have a greater right to exemption than tlie.se men.” Willr reference to the above, the Defence authorities, to whom the matter was referred, stale that only those who have served abroad {out of New Zealand) as members of the New Zealand'Expeditionary Force are released from further military training, and are automatically posted to the, reserve of the Territorial units to’whieh they previously belonged. If they desire to continue Territorial service they may do so — service is optional, nut compulsory. There is no such exception for home service men. If. however, a man has served efficiently in the Territorials for a period of four yours, Ims reached a satisfactory degree of proficiency, and has a certificate of good character, he may apply to the commanding officer of his unit to he transferred to the Reserve, for which his G.O. has power to recommend. Willi this exception demobilised home service men arc HaldeTor Territorial training.