SOLDIERS’ PAY.

Evening Star, Issue 16335, 30 January 1917, Page 7

SOLDIERS’ PAY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Just a few lines in reference to your correspondent in Saturday’s issue signing herself 1 A Soldier's Mother.’ In the first place I find it vofy hard to believe that she is a soldier's mother. As the average soldier only receives 5s per day (£9l per annum), 2s per day of which he draws, the remaining 3s being banked to his account, I fail to understand how a- mother can save £IOO of his wages in little over a year, as stated by your correspondent. She quotes an instance of how a soldier is benefiting by his bountiful allowance. I should like to quote another case. When the State called for all eligible men to enlist, promising that their dependents would be taken care of in their absence, and when the question of soldiers’ wages was not the topic of discussion, an only son of a widowed mother responded, relying upon the promise made by the Government. I might state that prior to enlisting he was in it- good position, and able to assist his mother liberally, h'omo time recently when in Dunedin tint Hon. J. Alien made a statement, to the clfeel that the Government had decided to make an allowance, of an extra Is per day to widows whose only sons were serving at the front. The moi her wrote to inquire why she was not receiving the extra allowance, as stated, and these were Mr Allen's own words to her: "I regret that as your weekly income exceeds the sum of 7s ailowed under the new regulations, the allowance cannot be paid in your rase." When his statement was published in the ‘.'•Jar' there were no conditions mentioned. It really means that only when the mother is destitute will the Government assist her. Pity help the patriotism that disputes a soldier's right to an ordinary workman's wage I Yi'ould that your correspondent- had followed her own advice to talk less and work morel—l am, etc., Friend ok a Soldier's Mother. January 29.