MUFTI ALLOWANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21945, 13 February 1946, Page 4

MUFTI ALLOWANCE

Sir, —Is the Auckland branch of the R.S.A. truly representative, of the majority of returned men? I think not. Surely £SO is an exorbitant sum to ask any Government to ‘grant as mufti allowance. Returned men are allowed to keep shirts, socks, underclothing and boots, so surely £25 should buy them the other necessary clothing, such as a pair of sports pants and a coat, and a suit and couple of shirts. If these things should require the full £25, we must not forget they are all granted another £5 from the patriotic funds and this would help towards small things such as ties and belts, etc. Then again, most of them have a fair amount of deferred pay to collect, and they are paid all the time they are ori leave. I venture to suggest that some of this money could be used to augment the mufti allowance. I do not wish to imply that we should not do all we can for these far from it, but we must remember that goods are in short supply and intlation must be guarded against. Reason and common sense should be brought to bear on this subject of the increased allowance. When I compare the treatment of my sons during and after this war with the treatment meted out to their father after nearly four years’ service last war, I think it is unworthy of any branch of the R.S.A. to try to embarrass the Government by asking for a further £25. I venture to say that not. many of the men expect more than £25 and are quite satisfied with it. They cannot, expect to start work in tailor-made suits and overcoats, and I’m sure they don't. There are always some who are not satisfied no matter what is done for them, and T think the Auckland branch must be in this category. F.A.S.