SOLDIER AND CIVILIAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 290, 7 December 1943, Page 2

SOLDIER AND CIVILIAN

I have followed with interest the discussion in this column of the advantage or otherwise of soldiers' pay over civilian pay. While holding no brief for either side, J. Orr's views coincide with mine in the matter of bread line wages. On the other hand the soldier has a more than legitimate grievance. To earn that pay and conditions, apart from risking his life, he has to take orders from pip-squeaks and others who would not dare to speak like it in ordinary "civvy" life. However, no Rood purpose is gained by arguing the matter out, as one is absolutely dependent on the other. The soldier is no use without arms, etc., and the civilian must have armed forces to protect sea routes so that raw materials can come in. While the soldier and civilian are at loggerheads the forces of reaction simply sit back and smile.. They know well that the Hitlenan method of divide and conquer holds good in anv system, and if the worker and worker-turned-soldier want any new order after the war they must unite or else suffer the same old business in another 20 years. A. W. TIPPING. My sister is married and has two children, her husband was called up and she considers herself better off, financially only, with him in the Armv After the amounts paid out for bus and tram fares weekly, meals and clothing, she has saved approximately £1 each week more 'than she could do before Avhen he worked an average of 42 hours weekly. I must confess the same financial position would suit me, and Im A WHARFIE'S WIFE.