DISENFRANCHISED SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 68, 20 March 1919, Page 7

DISENFRANCHISED SOLDIERS.

(To the Editor.: Sir, —Is it to be wondered at the doubt that exists in the minds of members of the N.Z.E.F., on their return to New Zealand, that all the promises of the last four years will ever be realised. From the House of Representatives, and from every platform in New Zealand, the same patriotic cry has gone out of the undying gratitude owed to the members of the N.Z.E.F., and how that one and all would make it their one aim to see that every just grievance of the men would have the support of the whole "community, and with what result? The war is over, and the doubts existing in the minds of the men are immediately justified, by being let down by tlie Government itself, and the only satisfaction received so far is an expression of regret from the Acting-Prime Minister that he is powerless to help them.

It only remains now to complete the justification or otherwise in the minds lof the men, in seeing what the people of New Zealand are going to do. Are they also only going to express regret, and do nothing; or is there going to be such a public outcry to back up the men that the Government will be forced to give every member of the N.Z.E.F. a vote? 1 trust that the business men. who have made themselves prominent in the past in this city in looking after the wants of the men, will again" make themselves heard, and not allow the men to fignt the battle, with only the suggestion of their moral support.—l am, etc., SIDNEY THORNH GEORGE, Late 23/33, N.Z.E.F.