TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3084, 15 May 1917, Page 6

TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS

INDIGNATION IN OTAGO

GOVERNMENT URCED TO REMEDY MATTERS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedln, May M. At a meeting of the Patriotic Association to-day the Government s action in regard to soldiers was severely criticised. Dealing with the promised financial assistance to men going on active service, the Mayor said they read that allowances up to £2 per week have boon arranged for, but the committee's experience was that the regulation was bo surrounded by official red-tape that it was exceedingly difficult for a soldier to get any assistance. There were many cases in which genuine claims were made, but the Government appeared to look for every possible loophole to avoid doing what thev had advertised they were willing to do. 'Hie inadequacy of the amount (305.) of mufti allowance also was touched upon, and the Mayor concluded by strongly condemning the practice of men who had broken down in training being turned out and told to find their own way. Many men returned to find positions filled, ■ and were unable to earn a livelihood. Yet tho Government repudiated responsibility. He hoped public sentiment would he aroused ito such an i extent that the Government would be compelled to take some steps to remedy the matter. Mr. Solomon,, speaking of financial assistance to the soldiers, said it was a grave mistake not to make generous and expeditious provision for engagements entered into by persons volunteering. The general experience was that things the Government had expressed the intention of doing had not been done, and the failure of the Government to provide money for this purpose was actually defeating the strong necessity for obtaining all poseiblc men at once. Mr. M'Allen said the delay in dispatch of military pay to men was amazing. : Air. Fenwick said he spoke as_ an earnest supporter of the National Government, hut they were straining his loyalty to breaking point. The Government did not realise their duty to the men who had displayed willingness to serve, but had broken down under training, It was time every association took the matter up, and induced such a wave of public objection to the dilatoriness of- the Government as would compel them to' reform tl eir ways. The Mayor said the delay in men what was due to them was a scandal. They received £5 when they landed in New Zealand, and then had to wait a month or two months before they got another sixpence. It »as impossible for men, some of them married and with children, to exist eight weeks on £5.

The Hon. J. T. Paul said there seemed to be a distinct clash between ■ civic ideal and official ideal. The citizefls desired that the men should be treated decently, but the official mind was not treating them decently: Snme cases were extremely bad, and tlio treatment meted out wns slupid nnd disgusting to the public. It was quite apparent that it would yet, be necessary to force the Government to do its duty. Dean Fitchett said the tiling seemnd to represent a miserable of officials', in which cases were lost in a labyrinth of officialdom and . forms. They must find some, way of making the Minister exercise his power over his subordinates.

A motion, by Mr. Fenwick, that representations should bo made to the Acting-Prime Minister was carried unanimously.