HOME SERVICE MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 99, 19 January 1918, Page 8

HOME SERVICE MEN

Sir—Re tlie article on the above in this morning's paper. I wish to point out a "few anomalies likely to lead the general public to belittle the volunteer soldier. There is a big distinction between the home service man in camp and the one in town. The camp man has to conform to all military laws, both in and out of camp. Then the man in camn is not always a volunteer, but in a number of cases a rejected active soldier. All available places cannot be filled easily by First Division reservists unfit for active service or there would be no need to advertise_ for carpenters, electricians, etc., as there has been and still is. Does the Defence Department recognise carpentry, bricklaying, concrete-laying, drain-lay" ing," or electrical working as unskilled labour? There are home service men in camp (volunteer), who are only Carrying private rank and pay, who are carrying out the above duties, qualified tradesmen. The pay allowed a nrivate in camp is ss. per day and 25." duty pay, Is. for wife separation, and in the case of family 9d. per daj' per child, for which a private is liable to be called for work seven days per week, and at any time, night or day, without overtime or recognition: thus a private in camn with one child is only drawing £3 Is. 3d.-T^nm^ January 18. .