IMPORTANT CHANGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 January 1943, Page 4

IMPORTANT CHANGES

MADE IN ARMV LEAVE , NEW FURLOUGH PROVISIONS. MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Several important changes in the amount of furlough and special leave that may be granted to members of the New Zealand military forces on full time service within the Dominion were announced by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, last evening. “The principal changes made,” said Mr Jones, “provide an extension of the basis upon which compassionate leave is allowed in the event of the death or serious illness of a member of a soldier’s family, longer furlough for members of the temporary staff and a much wider application of the principle of granting free travel warrants to personnel proceeding on leave. In addition, ordinary weekend leave and also leave on Saturdays and Sundays and at night during the week will be granted as generously as possible, consistent with efficiency, on the general principle that personnel should not be unnecessarily detained in camp. Free travelling warrants will not be issued for such leave.” Members of the Territorial Force may be granted seven days, plus half the travelling time between their camp and their homes for every two months’ service. For this period they will receive full pay and dependants’ and subsistence allowances and free travelling warrants. Furlough in any one two-months’ periods is cancelled if the member, during the period, is absent without leave for five days whether consecutive or not. If he has been absent without leave for less than five days his seven days’ furlough may be cancelled or reduced at the discretion of his officer commanding. “The above provisions do not apply to N.Z.E.F. reinforcement drafts, for whom special leave arrangements will be made from time to time,” said Mr Jones. “A member liable for limited service (e.g., a farmer, farm labourer, or dairy factory worker who is liable by the determination of an Armed Forces Appeal Board to serve only for a specified limited period) will not be entitled to furlough unless the period of service exceeds 12 weeks,' in which case he will be entitled to ordinary furlough privileges. If the period is less than 12 weeks then at its conclusion the member is entitled to leave on full pay and dependants’ and subsistence allowance at the rate of three days for each completed period of four weeks.”

Compassionate leave with full pay and dependants’ and subsistence allowances and free travelling warrants will be granted for the following reasons: Death or serious illness of mother, father, wife or child—l 4 days, excluding travelling time. Death or serious illness of sister or brother—7 days, excluding travelling time. To enable a member to sit for a University or other recognised examination leave for the period of the examination (with full pay and subsistence and dependant’s allowances and free travelling warrants) may be granted. In addition, 14 days’ leave may be granted under similar conditions to enable a member to prepare for an examination.