THE SOLDIER'S GRATUITY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 5

THE SOLDIER'S GRATUITY.

(To Uie Editor.) Sir,—Webster defines gratuity as "something given freely, without recompense," or "voluntarily, as a bountytip," etc. The Returned Soldiers' Association, Wellington branch, have resolved by resolution to "demand" a specified sum, "by way of gratuity." If the Wellington Association are right, then the great dictionary is wrong for once.—l am, etc. HAROLD HALL. (To the Editor.)

Sir, —Why the delay in fixing the gratuities? Our patience is nearly ex■haneted, as there are many of us sorely in need of a few pounds after years of service. I am glad the R.S.A. is taking the matter up, and they with the help of the member for City Central will see that we get our dues. —I am, etc., ONE OF THE DIGGERS. » (To the Editor) Sir, —The gentleman who comments on the Wellington R.S attitude on gratuities shows rather deplorable ignorance of the subject he is discussing when he labours under the impression that this body demands £150 for each year of service. If he took a little more trouble to familiarise himself \yith the Wellington R.B. proposals he would have seen that payment is asked on a basis of A." 150 for two years' service. I believe that if a meeting of Auckland returned Holdiers were convened to discuss the Wellington proposals, based on Captain Sievwright's arguments, they would unhesitatingly support Wellington in tliis matter, and furthermore would have something to say re the accusation of " stiffs," made by a member of the Association against one-time brothers-in-arms.—l am, etc., F. \V. SIMPSON.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — the statement of "a prominent R.S.A. member' , that it was only the "stiffs" and those who had made a mess of thinsrs since their return who looked upon the pratuity as a right and not an a gift is deeply resented, for there is a large section who do look upon the iiratuity Oβ a right honestly earned, and this section does not embrace any etilfs or dead-beats. T would like to point out that the executive of the Auckland R.S.A. and the Dominion executive were elected to oflice before the fir*t boat of fit men returned to the Dominion, and that many thousands have returned to their homeland since the transport Hororata landed its human fyeight of those who saw things out to the close. Many of those—the great majority, in fact — are members of the R.S.A., but the R.S.A. executive cannot claim to have a mandate from these soldiers, for they had no Bay in the election of the executive. Let the R.S.A. executive call a special meetinjr and test the opinion of these men. Many soldiers are expressing the determination to resign when their vcar of membership is up, as a result of the "stiffs" statement.—l am/etc.,

FOUR YEARS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —While the. "minor kings" of New Zealand are debating as to whether the country can afford to pay three millions to about uue hundred thousand soldiers, would it not be appropriate to .recall how willing some of them were to pay four and a half millions away to those interested in the licensed victualling trade? And, incidentally, to deprive the country of one of its principal sources of revenue ? .Surely, if the country could afford to ■Ray such a sum to the brewers, there cannot be any question as to its ability to pay at least one -shilling per day to its soldiers for the full period' of their active service. A-s the result of many conversations with returned soldiers, I am convinced that that sum (but nothing less) would be considered a. "fair thing." And most civilians seem to think co, too. Therefore, as a returned soldier, I eav, "Give U3 a hob a day and we'll ail be, happy."—l am. etc., WILLIE LEMON.