MONEY FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 14, 11 October 1917, Page 6

MONEY FOR SOLDIERS

* REMITTANCES NOT ALLOWED A VEXATIOUS ORDER A strong protest against tho order of flio G.O.C. in I'l-anco that New Zealnud soldiers shall not be allowed to receive private moneys was made in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. Parr, lie asked the following question of tho Minister of Defence:—Whether he'will make- an attempt to secure some relaxation of tho order, recently made- bj> tho General Officer Commanding in France, that no private moneys whatever shall be paid to officers ov men. while on service or in camp in Prance? Sir James Allen replied: It has been reported by Headquarters, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, that tho net rate of pay lor issue in the field is quite sufficient to meet all needs while the men aro on service or in camp in France. It has also, been reported that a large amount of money remitted to soldiera in the field is stiuuridered by the men, and in consequence, when they go to Eliglaud on furlough they have no cash to carry them over their furlough, and they make continued applications to the High Commissioner's Office and to the War Contingent Association for grants to enablo thein to visit various parts of England. The order issued by the General Officer Commanding was principally in the interests of the men, so that when they receive their furlough to London they will liavo sufficient cash available for their needs. The remitting of money to men at the front has reached large proportions and entails a vast amount of labour on. the part of the pay staff both in Now Zealand and at the front. It is not considered advisable to relax the order referred to. Mr. Parr expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the Minister's answer, saying that the real reason for the order was not that set forth. The order was bitterly reseated by the troops, who objected to being treated like children. Our men were used to variations of diet which were not given them in the rations, and they bought these as opportunity afforded. Such things were not luxuries, but necessities. And it was absurd to say that Now Zealand men, well used to possess and to spend money reasonably, could not be'trusted with it leit they rnigut squander it.