RETURNING DRAFTS.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 January 1919, Page 4

RETURNING DRAFTS.

EARLIER NEWS POSSIBLE

WELLINGTON, this day

It will be possible in future to give earlier and more definite information to the next of kin and the general public regarding returning drafts of New Zealand soldiers, an improvement in the system having been promptly made by the Defence Department as a result of the naval censorship over the movements of troopships and hos- j pitals in New Zealand waters having been lifted. The former limit of a fortnight before arrival can be abandoned and the new system provides that on receipt of the cabled nominal roll of a Draft, thfc next of kin will be advised as soon as practicable of expected date and port of arrival of vessel, after which the nominal roll will be released for public information. Any variation in the daUo or port of arrival of the vessel will bo subsequently made puhlic offically.

The prime object of this procedurcis to preclude confusion arising from any conflicting reports, being circulated, and to obviate any necessity foxindividual enquiries by relatives and friends. The Department is only too anxious, now that it is possible, to afford the earliest information to the public Regarding their returning soldier sons and husbands, but it will be realised that if -its work is congested by receipt of numerous enquiries from a large section of the relatives and friends of any particular Draft, not only will the work of notifying all next of kin of the- ~k Draft be delayed, but also subsequent / Drafts. For instance relatives may receive cables from thoir men-folk who believe they are on the point of embarking for the Dominion (which is no guarantee that they have actually (embarked, though the majority may) and immediately address an enquiry to the Department demanding information. This may occur before the vessel has actually cleared harbour, her departure reported* or cabled nominal roll of Troops come to hand, the result being that a negative reply must be made, thusadding quite uselessly to the already h|:avy work of the Department. We arc requested to inform the next of kin of returning soldiers that after receipt of the notification from Base Records that a soldier is icxpectcd back with a specified draft,, all subsequent enquiries should be made to the Headquarters of the District where the soldier will disembark and not to B'ase Records, All $ araugements for meeting a transport —medical boarding, disembarkation and returning soldiers to their homes are made by the District Head- : quarters -at port of (disembarkation ■and not by General Headquarters at Wellington, consequently earlier re- ; plies will be available if the enquiries are sent direct to the District Headquarters responsible for the disembarkation procedure.

Prior to the arrival of a Draft at port of arrival, the arangcments for landing and coastwise or inland transport as requisite, will bo announced, so that those concerned may be, fully informed. Therefore, following on notification of next of kin, and publication of nominal rolls of respective Drafts, the public will be kept fully informed' officially as to the position, so that personal enquiry or speculation will be entirely unnecessary. The Department receives telegraphic reports in regard to the general health of each Draft from ports of call, and also by wireless in the later stages of voyage, and the public may rest assured that, wh/?re necessary, any requisite action for the good of the troops or the general public will be taken. THE LANDING PORTS. In connection with the conveyance of thjj troops to the Dominion, it is pointed out that the vessels concerned, are either Admiralty chartered ports or overseas liners under its (c----quisition, New Zealand troops being carired at per capita rates fixed by the Minister of Shipping. The vessels carry cargo, of course, and their port of arrival is necessarily governed by proportion of passengers for such and cargo to he discharged. Owing to the still heavy demands on shipping for repatriation and other war services, it is -essential that vessels should discharge cargoes < and load for return voyage as early as practicable, in accordance with strict Admiralty instructions. Under these circumstances, the liefence Department is unable * to meet ijihe natural demand from various localities that particular ships carrying large numbers of men for those districts shall make a certain port the first port of call. The primary consideration has to be facility for getting the ship’s cargo discharged, the return cargo loaded, -i&d a consequent hastening of tl^' return iof another draft by the same ship, y/