SOLDIERS AND REPATRIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 17009, 3 April 1919, Page 9

SOLDIERS AND REPATRIATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I think it would he extremely beneficial to the discharged soldiers in Dunedin if the Repatriation Officer (Mr Tennent) would explain in detail how the scheme operates. Now, there are one or two pertinent questions which I call upon Mr Tennent to give us some information on at an early date. The position of the married volunteer, it strikes me, is going to be doubly unfortunate. There are many such, who left a good home, I wife, and children, because the "call" came to them. Will Mr Tennent let us know if the £SO free of interest for furniture, for instance, will be advanced to an applicant who may require it; and state the reasons for refusing any such grants. Will a married man with a large family be penalised? As regards sustenance allowance while awaiting employment, will Mr Tennent let us know if this sustenance allowance will be made payable until a discharged soldier gets employment? Another thing that wants explaining is this: What comes under the category of tools, equipment, plant, etc. ? After a soldier has made and filed hi.s application why is he not called upon to state his case verbally before the committee? I may mention the case of a man who required equipment absolutely essential for his new work, as his disability prohibits him taking up his previous work. He has to commence a new business. And I am willing to have my man taken before three of the best business men of this City, to be nominated by the Mayor, and if he cannot prove to the satisfaction of those business men, that the equipment he required is absolutely essential for the support of himself and family, I am prepared to pay over £5 to any charitable institution. " Tho consequence of the board's refusal is that this man and his dependents are in great stress. He is held up from earning eood money, because, as stated, the board" would not equip him with what was necessary for his new employment.— I am, etc., Diggeb. March 31. [lnquiries of the Repatriation Office produce these answers .-—As to the £SO advance, "Yes." As to a married man being penalised, "No." As to sustenance allowance, it is for 10 weeks only, to applicants discharged within 12 months provided they have applied for employment. As to a. msa baing called, to verbally state, his case, he is called if there is need to call him. As to the_ case mentioned in the last paragraph, if it is recognised correctly it is that of a man who is now before the committee and no decision ye* given.—Ed." E.S.]