ARMY LEAVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1942, Page 2

ARMY LEAVE

ALTERATION ANNOUNCED SEVEN DAYS EVERY TWO MONTHS. FREE TRAVELLING WARRANTS TO BE ISSUED. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An alteration in the arrangements relating to Army leave was announced last night by the Minister of Deferiso, Mi- Jones. This represents • one of tl!e recommendations of a recent conference in Wellington of the principal staff officers at Army Headquarters, divisional commanders and district commandants at which matters relating to Army welfare were considered. The recommendation dealing with leave, which was submitted through the G.0.C., Lieut. General E. Puttick, has been considered and approved by the War Cabinet. Mr Jones said that in future soldiers mobilised for home defence (other than regular and temporary staff) would be entitled to furlough of seven days once every two months, plus half the time taken in travelling from camp to home and return. Free travelling warrants would be issued. .In addition, authority had been granted for the issue of travelling permits (but not free warrants) to wives or mothers of single men, to enable them to visit their husbands or sons on not more than six occasions a year. Local leave during the week and week-ends would be granted as generously as possible, consistent with the exigencies of the service. The alterations that have been made in regard to furlough and local leave would of necessity be subject to the tactical situation and the ability of transport to handle traffic.

The Minister added that in some units, e.g., coast artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, guards, etc., it would be necessary to adjust the schedule of leave to meet local conditions.