SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16699, 6 December 1919, Page 2

SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS.

A COLD DEPAETMENTAL LETTER. ] "VTc are doing our best," sai3 tho j Prime Minister, tho Right Hon. W. F. Massey, in the course of his reply to tho deputation from tho Returned Soldiers' Association which waited on him yesterday morning, "and whero there are any injustices or anomalies, or want of generosity (to use another term) on tho part of tho Government, if you let us know, we will endeavour to put it rijiht." Mr W. E. Leadley (secretary of the Association) said that they had received a copy of tho reply furnished from the Minister of Repatriation to the general secretary of the Association, Wellington, to tho matters brought up by a deputation which waited on Ministers during last session. '•On that occasion," Mr Leadley con- | tinucd. "both yourself and the Minis- i ters present we'ro very sympathetic to- i wards our demands, and we, as return- . ed soldiers, went away from that depu- j tation very pleased with ourselves: both Mr Csutliric and Mr Coates said ! that our requests were reasonable, and in two cases—increased furniture grant niul increased business grant—saw no reason why they should not be granted. Now we have a very cold, stereotype reply from tho Department, refusing evrrv request mode on that occasion. It makes tho returned soldiers very doubtful of the sincerity of the Government, and of thoir profession to be anxious to give us a square deal." Mr Leadley banded the communication to which he referred to Mr Massey, who went through it. Mr Mnssoy said that it might be somo satisfaction to them to know that neither Mr Guthrie nor Mr Coates had seen the letter. Mr Leadley: That is our trouble. Mr Coates and Mr Guthrie arc both mombers of tho Ministerial Repatriation Board. Mr Mn.csey pointed out that the letter was dated November 21st, and that both Ministers mentioned had loft Wellington some time previous to that date, and were looking after their constituents. Mr Leadley: Can -we ask —it is tho loast we can ask—that the points broueht before yon Lv that deputation should be reconsidered by the Ministerial Renatriation Board? Mr Massey: There is nothing fairer thnn that. Mr Lloyd (a member of tho deputation): It is cold-blooded stuff like that which gets up the temper of tho men wbrn it is brought before them. Mr Massey: "Cold-blooded" is not a word that should bo used. Mr Llovd was understood to remark that it was a term that returned soldiers used. Tho North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society has received 55 applications for deer-stalking licenses in tho Rakaia for the coming soason. Application* are now closed, and the bnllot for blocks will take place next week, when tho names of tho successful applicants will be published.