OVERSEAS DISCHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1919, Page 5

OVERSEAS DISCHARGES.

THfi CONDITIONS. Wellington, March 5. Applications by members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force for discharge in England have become numerous, no fewer than ninety having to be dealt with at Base Records in one day recently. There is an excellent reason for some of these discharges, as the soldier utilise* his time in England to Improve Ids knowledge of the business In Which he was engaged as a civilian. Thus the Dominion gains from the 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 thi* 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 previsions, as the dependents in New Zealand must be considered. Allotments are suspended Tipon receipt of the caMed recnest for disebsrge, and thev cease altogether on the actual date of discharge as notified from England after its approval. Tf the soldier desires immediate discharge in England. inquiry has to tie made in New Zealand regarding tha fcona, fides of the application, and it is only; granted wlien the authorities are satisfied that the reason is sound. In -otto* of discharge abroad in Hen ef reiijrn to New Zealand in norimal se. craence the application is cabled to New Tealarid at. the applicant's expense, ami the Defence Department investigates the position from the view point of the «oV dier's dependents. Tne written approval of the next of kin is required, and if there are dependents the Government reonires a legal guarantee that the State ■will Be under no liabilitr for their hnaintenance as a result of the soldier's discharge overseas. This is enfnrred with a bond for £3OO. Thesp provWons aro 'designed to prevent hard4.ip to dependents through the stoppage of allotments upon discharge. When the procedure is complete, the approva.' for discharge is crbled to England. The same precautions on behalf of dependents are taken far eases of application for immediate discharge, Tf £ft* discJnirgrf solder returns to Jftnr Zealand wfEßtn twelve months he will T*«rßK!ed to receive in a ramp mrm tho ttocmt whHi the Government ««nM ftrro wis for his passage fawn «nA*d to fltrar Zealand, lad Se travel- . f^ttWfai>tffc4rr&9iß«T^