WAR GRATUITIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 205, 24 May 1919, Page 8

WAR GRATUITIES

Sir,—After reading the letters of Mr. Seymour nnd tho short replies of Sir Jnmes Allen, one cannot help contrasting the modest tenor employed by the former compared with the successful propaganda engaged in by tho no\r defunct Second Division League. There hns been no argument, oxcept that of economy, in defence of paying our soldiers a Binaller gratuity tlian that paid to the soldiers of Canada. So email a percentage of the men who proceeded to the front were married that it is tho veriest humbug to advance the higher separation allowances to married men ns a reason for paying smaller gratuities than Canada is allowing. It would be ns logical fpr Sir James Allen to tell the single private soldiers that, owing to the nigh salary and allowances paid to General Godley, it is not practicable to do as much for our splendid men as Canada, is doing for hers. The Returned Soldiers' Association will have to wake up, and rouso public opinion on this cold-blooded injustice that is sought' to •be perpetuated on them. Tho Second Division Loaguo met witli just as short shrift ns has been given to ilr. Seymour, but undismayed by chilling rebuffs tlioy agitated until sufficient pressure was brought to bear to remedy their grievances. If tho Seoond Division had claims to the sympathy of the people, then a still greater debt of gratitude is outstanding to our boys' who volunteered in their tens of thousands for the earlier reinforcements whilst tho married men volunteered in tliqir hundreds. The merits of 'their olaim cannot be disputed by anyone having the smallest spark of true patriotism m their hearts. The returned soldiers should show a united front on this question, and should not bo turned asido from claiming their bare rights because of that same splendid spirit of uiisoliishuoss 'which prompted them to unhesitatingly oiler their lives for tho defence of this land, which to-day would bo a German dependency if our protection lmd had lo wail 011 the leisure of the men whose reparation allowances on tho highest scale in tho world aro being U6ed to throw dust in (he eyes of the men who are in such rcn overwhelming majority that I heirs is the only claim worthy of serious consideration.

This country of infinite _ resources must not let it go down to, history that she allowed a nislur .Dominion to put her to shame in Hie scale of gratuities paid to her soldiers on thoir discharge, T.et us not inks our lust chance of proving in a practical fashion that our gratitude will stand comparison with that of all parts of the Empire, and that it is still real, and not an empty phruso now our danger is past.—l am, etc., lY.li.