WAR SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1941, Page 6

WAR SERVICE

POSITION OF APPELLANTS & DEFAULTERS MR SEMPLE ON EFFECT OF REGULATIONS FINANCIAL AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS. POWERS OF ENFORCEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. ‘The intention of the National Service Emergency Regulations is that appallants shall be in no better financial position than if they were serving as members of the armed forces, irrespective of what they may be earning in their present occupations,” said the Minister of National Service (Mr Semple), in a statement regarding the functions of the-special tribunal, which will shortly begin its sittings. The Minister added that it would be necessary to determine a basic rate which would represent the equivalent of the pay, keep, clothing, medical and dental attention which a member of the armed forces would receive. In order to obtain uniformity, this basic rate and the general principles to be applied in the making of orders would be determined by the special tribunal before its sittings commenced. In addition to- the Army pay of 7s a day received by privates, allowances are made to their dependants, and the Minister said similar allowances would be made to successful appellants. It was also not intended to deviate in the case of conscientious objectors from the principle of paying allowances to the wife and children of a member of the armed forces, irrespective of whether he married befoie he became a member of the armed forces or at any time subsequently. Mr Semple said the special tribunal would investigate the financial position of appellents and inquire into the salary, wage or income they were earning. If the earned income of an appellant were greater than the basic rate so fixed, together with any allowances he would have received as a member of the armed forces, he would be oidered to pay the excess to the credit of the Social Security Fund. If an appellant s earnings were less than the basic rate and allowance, no financial order would be made in his case, and he would certainly, not receive any subsidy for any deficiency. A person whose appeal had been dismissed unconditionally would not be dealt with by the special tribunal. Any order made in respect to an appellant whose appeal had been dismissed subject to non-combatant service, would not interfere with the right of the military authorities to post such a person for non-combatant duties. In either case, failure to report for duty when directed to do so constitutes an offence, rendering such persons liable to prosecution as defaulters. In lieu of oi in addition to other lawful penalties, a defaulter may on conviction be committed to defaulters’ detention for the duration of the war. Mr Semple added that if any appellant failed to comply with an order of the tribunal, there was adequate power under the regulations to deal with him as a- defaulter. - ,