SOLDIERS ON LEAVE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20988, 15 December 1939, Page 9

SOLDIERS ON LEAVE

TRAVELLING EXPENSES MISUNDERSTANDING REMOVED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said that from a number of inquiries reaching his office it would appear that there is a good deal of misapprehension with respect \ to the arrangements made for soli. diers visiting their homes on leave. ► When soldiers are proceeding on their final leave their fares to their homes or places of enlistment were paid in full by the Government, and this included, where necessary, free steamer and motor transportation. In cases where men were granted 1 special leave to visit their homes they were able to obtain rail or steamer tickets at rates representing a reduction of about one-third the ordinary fares. The Minister said he was pleased that a number of local bodies and transport organisations also were granting transport concessions to soldiers; in some cases he understood the men were benefitting to the extent of free travel, and in other cases substantial reductions in fares were being granted. TERRITORIAL CAMPS TRAINING OF UNITS Despite the emphasis that is being placed on the preparation and training of the Special Military Force, the Territorial Forces are to continue their training and arrangements have been completed for the normal annual camps of territorial units. In the Northern district 15 units will go to the Waiouru camp at different times for a week each between January 13 and March 2. The Second Medium Battery (Hamilton) will conduct its camp from February 10 to February 17, while the Ist Battalion, Hauraki Regiment and Ist Battalion Waikato Regiment will be in camp from l February 24 to March 2.