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orderlies and dental mechanics. As a result it has been possible to maintain personnel of the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force at a high level of dental health. If dental coverage is to be efficient and complete, however, farther increases will be necessary, especially of qualified dental surgeons. At present all main Army and Air establishments are catered for either by their own resident dental officer or by visits from a dental officer of a nearby establishment. In many instances units are covered by periodical visits of caravan dental trailers. Members of the Forces in outlying areas rely upon the provisions that exist for urgent dental treatment by civilian dental practitioners ; they obtain more extensive treatment when attending courses at, or when visiting, establishments where service facilities are available. All new recruits and Cadets joining the Army during the year have been examined and rendered dentally fit prior to posting to a unit. Chaplains Department The Chaplains Dominion Advisory Council has recently been reconstituted as an advisory body to all three Services. It is to comprise representative senior Chaplains of all the principal denominations. Pay (a) New Rates for Women. —The rates of pay for N.Z.W.A.A.C. have recently been reviewed. New rates, providing increments in pay for service, were approved by Cabinet and came into effect on Ist April, 1949. (b) Sick-leave Without Pay: Social Security Benefits. —Arrangements have now been made with the Social Security Department to cover the cases of servicemen who are granted sick-leave without pay. The normal procedure that applies to civilians in similar circumstances will henceforth apply to servicemen. (c) Territorial Force Rates of Pay.—Rates of pay for the Territorial Force were approved by Cabinet on 20th October, 1948. The general basis of these rates is that Territorial Force personnel will receive the minimum Regular Force rate of pay for the rank held. No allowances other than travelling-allowances will be payable. (d) Location Allowances. —In consequence of the introduction of new rates of pay for the Army in April, 1947, a review was made of the allowances payable to personnel stationed abroad. Government approval to new location allowances to be payable in conjunction with the new rates of pay was given on 3rd November, 1948, to cover personnel in Australia, and on 16th March, 1949, for those in the United Kingdom. Those concerned had the option of receiving the new allowances retrospectively from Ist April, 1946. The New Zealand War Service Medal Following the institution of the New Zealand War Service Medal by His Majesty the King in September, 1948, the Army Department placed an order for the ribbon on behalf of the three Armed Services. To date sufficient ribbon for an issue to serving personnel of the Regular Forces only has been received. Bulk consignments are on the way, however, and it is hoped that all demands for the ribbon from those entitled to wear it will be met at an early date. Manufacture of the medal itself has not yet begun, and it will therefore be several months before its distribution can be undertaken.

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