"BOARDING " SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16472, 15 March 1919, Page 6

"BOARDING " SOLDIERS

OTHER COUNTRIES' A R R AN GEMEXTS.

The Defence Department lias i«ued the following: Though some sections ot the public aro inclined to become restive over the delav in the disembarkation of our returned soldiers owing to the demobilisation procedure carried out on arrival, -here is so much advantage to be gainedbv the soldier through the completion of this necessary process before he leaves the ship that, in li.s own interests the Defence authorities at this end have to bo satisfied that the work i- thorom'lilv done. To make the task easier on°arrival, complete printed instructions were sent to England, and a few experienced Lase Records oltici.ils were placed at the disposal ot the JScw Zealaud Expeditionary lorce authorities at Home lor the purpose of trainin «• those who undertake the denvpbili'iifioii process on the voyage. There has been a misunderstanding over the ship on which the new scheme was tried, but the Defence authorities suggest, that if the critical section of the public had to meet the expense and face the complaints winch would arise through abandoning the pre-disembark-ation "s-vstcm, they would speedily be convinced that existing plans are on tho ri ,T ht lines. Once the New Zealand soldier leaves the transport, he is free to look after his own personal affairs. Ho need not go near a Dolenee ofhee arrain except oncc, when he returns bis great-coat, and receives the mufti allowance, and if it is more convenient, he may manage this transaction through with the methods of demobilisation adopted by other overseas liritish Dominions shows that, even under tho conditions prevailing on the Port Melbourne, our men aro subject to less delav and trouble than their comrades of'the Australian and Canadian Forces. Australians have to proceed to a demobilisation camp after disembarkation —thev cannot no straight to their relatives from the ship—while tho Canadian system involves the men in even more delay after disembarkation. Tho Canadian Soldiers' Handbook states that troops must procced liom the ship to a clearing depot at Halifax St. John, or Quebec. "At these clearing depots, 19 states tho Handbook, "all ranks not requiring immediate hospital treatment will be given furlough of two weeks to proceed to their homes, and will have prepared for them by tho clearing depot, sta'if the iollowing■Furlough form, cheque for funds while on furlough, and transport warrant. "When the men are despatched lrom the clearing denot they are informed that thev must not leave the train except ab tho' point at which their homes aro situated. ... At the end of his fortnight s furlough. the soldier has to report to his nearest militurv district headquarters, and as there are only thirteen for the whole -of that vast Dominion, tho amount of travelling to be done by the r-oldier before he can complete his discharge can be- imagined. . Ne\y Zealand- ; ors, thanks to tho system which is condemned bv those who do not realise that the State's obligations to the soldier have to be promptly met, go from' the transport with definite information as to the date of their discharge, money for temporary needs, travelling warrants for the enjoyment of their month's leave on full pay, and full Jnformation regarding their pension rights and the facilities to aid. them in reabscrption into tho community. Tho fit. man. once clear of tho ship, is clear •of Army.