CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 110, 11 May 1943, Page 2

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

UNIFORMS AND LEAVE To The Editor Regarding the criticism made by a military officer concerning the abuse of uniforms worn by men on L.W.O.P. Has that army officer ever considered the case of men compelled to wear uniforms on leave without pay by the hopeless incompetence of officials in certain departments? The clothing allowance is hopelessly inadequate. That is not the fault of the army. What does constitute a fault is that with its mighty organisation it is unable to pay these men their back pay and clothing allowance for a very considerable time. Many of the men released on LWOP. were drafted straight from school into the army. Many of these have outgrown their clothes or else in the IS odd months of thenservice, their clothes have depreciated to be next to useless.. Also, regarding the high pay, many taking up professional employment, are starting at a great disadvantage because of their age and lack of experience. Many firms will not employ these yotiths as juniors, considering it not worth their Avhile to train them with the possibility of their being recalled to their units in the future. To accept casual highly-paid labouring jobs is defeating their purpose, that is, to make a start 4n their chosen career. Having found a position they then receive a very small wage and are junior to youths not yet of military age. I admit that uniforms are abused, but there are schools of thought on just who are they who do abuse the King's uniform. N.J.T.