The Sun MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1914. WHO PAYS?

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 164, 17 August 1914, Page 4

The Sun MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1914. WHO PAYS?

The disclosures made in Saturday's Sun regarding the exacting demands made upon recruits to the Expeditionary Force should be promptly looked into by the Defence authorities, [t is absurd fiat thousands of pounds should be subscribed by the citizens of Canterbury to equip the force, and that the money should be pocketed by the Government, while the young fellows volunteering for service have to dip heavily into their own resources for their equipment. Cases have come under our notice where promising recruits, who could ill afford it, have had to spend between £6 and £7 on their outfits. We published on Saturday a list of the articles the recruit is required to take into camp with him, and it is surely anomalous, that while the wives of citizens are busily engaged at sewing bees in making shirts and hold■alls for the use ox the force, that our boys should be compelled to buy these thiugs themselves before they go into camp. The result will simply be that the articles being made'by the Christchurch ladies Avill be available too late, and will go into the reserve stores, to be called on if required. In regard to the mounted troops, the men are expected to bring in their own horse, saddle, bridle, and headstall, in addition to the usual camp necessaries. Some have been fortunate enough to be the recipients of gift horses; others are well enough off to purchase saddles and bridles themselves, but we contend that it is altogether unfair and unreasonable to expect the recruits to go to this expense. Nor do we think for a moment that many of those wl o have so generously subscribed to the War Fund in Canterbury intended that their money should go straight into the public account to relieve the general taxpayer, while the young men of Canterbury who offered their services had to find their own out lit. Many of the horses brought into the camp are m{suitable for the work they x jftftlbc called upon to do, and wJAirequire to be replaced, yet Coioael / Chaff not buy a single liorse without applying to Wellingtfcif for authority. There is ■.lip rqsisffli'why the Government should riot bear the whole cost of the equipment of the members of the Expeditionary Force. If it is unwilling to foot the whole bill, and wishes to take advantage of the patriotism and readiness of those who are in a position to equip themselves, then an Equipment Committee should be immediately set up to assist those who are not so favourably situated. This committee should be allocated a portion of the funds • already subscribed and authorised to raise money to buy horses, saddles and bridles, and equipment for the men who cannot aC rd to dip into their own pockets. We also think that in many cases money should be refunded to young men who have incurred expenditure on equipment that should have been provided for them; Probably a good deal of money has been subscribed to the Mayor's Patriotic Fund under a complete misapprehension. It is a provident fund and not a war fund. It cannot be devoted to equipment unless the persons who have subscribed to it in error, expressly direct that the money be transferred to an equipment fund such as we have suggested. But whatever is done, prompt action is necessary.