WAR OFFICE NEGLECT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 45, 22 February 1901, Page 5

WAR OFFICE NEGLECT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day. j Some of the returned troopers from South Africa are complaining in strong- terms of alleged neglect. The facts stated to me. for the precise truth of which I cannot vouch, are that some of the men, particularly those who served in Brabant's Horse, and who have been invalided to Xew Zealand, received a circular letter from the Governor of Chelsea Hospital, stating that when their pay ceased they would be entitled to receive a pension of a shilling and sixpence a day, and that they w^ere to apply to the New Zealand Defence authorities fourteen days after their return to this colony, who would make the necessary arrangements with regard to arrears of pay = and payment of pension as soon as regular pay was discontinued. Some of the troopers applied as directed, ! but no advices had reached, the New Zealand Defence Department from the Imperial authorities. Meantime, the men have been in severe straits, dependent upon the charity of friends. One ! poor trooper applied to a Minister, and I endeavoured to stimulate his benevoi lence. "I'm very sorry," said the ; Minister, "but I cannot see how I can :do anything in the matter until the ! official advices are received from the i military authorities in England." ; "Am I to starve in the meantime?" asked the trooper. The reply is not stated. .It seems clear the fault lies with the War Office, and not with the colonial Government, but all the same 'it is very hard on the men. _ ,