VARSITY STUDENTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 February 1942, Page 2

VARSITY STUDENTS

AND MILITARY SERVICE POSTPONEMENT CONDITIONS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Because of the seriousness of the international situation it is not possible to continue the arrangement whereby university students genially were permitted to undertake 'military training during vacations so as not to interfere with their studies. Conditions under which postponements of military service will in future be granted these students were announced last evening by the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple. Postponement of service is to be restricted to students whose academic courses will be of direct assistance to the national war effort.

“It is intended,” said Mr Semple, “that in future university courses will be designed not only for the training of specialist personnel, but in addition for giving general scientific training to selected men to fit them for the conditions of the present mechanised war. To this end the university colleges will give special attention to the training of an adequate supply of such men to meet the needs of the armed forces and essential civilian requirements.” Mr Semple explained that with this in view postponement of the military service could be granted only to approved students on the following conditions: —

(1) That the student is willing to change his course if required to do so by the university' authorities to better qualify him for specialist service with the armed forces. (2) That the student is prepared to undertake such military training, during the course of his studies as is required of him and can conveniently be arranged during weekends and in vacations. (3) That he diligently pursues the course of studies for the purposes mentioned. (4) That he shall be released for full-time service with the armed forces at any time if required. “Publicity has already been given to the fact that students who intend to commence or continue university courses this year should, notify, then university colleges of.their intention in order that their cases may be considered in the light of the new arrangement,” said the Minister. “Any intending students who have not. yet taken this action should immediately do so.