Sra,—We should like to comment from our own experience on
Class B releases from the Forces. We were selected as two of the 3,000 Arts students who were to be released to resume their studies not later than the beginning of October. Authorities for cur release did not reach our units from H.Q. B.A.O.R. until early in October. By then the unit was under orders to move to M.E.F., and, owing to a combination of unfortu- nate circumstances, we were unable to sign our papers until we were in this theatre. It appears that G.H.Q. M.E.F. will not accept a B.A.O.R. posting without the sanction of a body called the M.E.F. Manpower Selection Board. Our documents have been forwarded to this Board through the "usual channels," and although five weeks have elapsed -we have heard nothing further. We have already lost a full term and shall consider ourselves lucky if we are back for next term.
We do not wish to over-emphasise the personal aspect of this unneces- sary delay, but rather to illustrate the discrepancy which appears to exist between the stated policy of the Government and its execution by the military authorities on the spot. Our case is not an isolated one ; there are others in the same position out here who are merely waiting for a rubber stamp on their documents and their disposal instructions. We know of one officer who, impatient of delay, made a jeep trip to Second -Ec-helon, sorted out his own release papers from a file and proceeded triumphantly home. Unfortunately, such means are open only to a privi- leged few. The majority can only sit and wait, at the mercy of delays imposed by red tape. If building workers and teachers are to be held up in similar fashion, prospects of speeding up housing and education schemes are far from bright.—Yours, &c., T. B. A.; A. G. K. L.
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