"A CRUEL DISTINCTION"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3190, 14 September 1917, Page 5

"A CRUEL DISTINCTION"

GOVERNMENT'S TREATMENT. OF.. SAILORS. Yesterday the committee of the War Relief Association of Wellington briefly considered tho 'Government's treatment of men who are with the motor patrol or in the Nftvy. Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp said he could not understand tho attitude of the Government, but the fact was that the Government would not help the men who enlisted in the motor patrol or as sailors. It seemed to him that 6uch men wore in tlie same position as soldiers if their dependants were there. It appeared as though the Government wanted everyone to join the infantry, but if a man was specially qualified for another service lie should bo allowed to ]oin that other service. Mr. John HutcheeoE moved: That th'is executive of the War Relief Association of Wellington strongly endorses the recommendation of the Advisory Board, and urges on the Minitser to reconsider without unnecessary delay the question of putting the men who. havo their families in New Zealand employed in the New Zealand naval forces and the motor patrol forces on the same footing as Expeditionary Force men. Mr. Hutcheson mentioned the case of a naval reservist's wife and family, who were left without help, and thus regarded as outcasts. "It is an invidious and crueJ distinction to make. . . . Some people tiro left destitute." Representations had been made to tho Minister a couple ot months ago, but since then nothing liad been heard from him on the matter. Mr. C. M. Luke eaid he hoped the Minister would see. the futility of continning: as at present. Mr. L. 0. E. Tripp said the committee knew of one woman who was receiving only Is. 2d. per day. The motion was carried.