RETURNED SOLDIERS’ GRIEVANCES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4156, 5 February 1916, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ GRIEVANCES.

BROUGHT BEFORE DEFENCE MINISTER.

(Press Association Telegram.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 4

A deputation from the Returned Soldiers’ Association interviewed the Hon. Jas. Allen, as the result _of which it is stated that matters which have been the cause of friction are likely to be re-adjusted. A large number of complaints made will require departmental investigation before the Minister can reply, but where it seemed to be obvious there was injustice Mr Allen gave an assurance that he would have the matter righted.

Complaint was made of the language and general conduct of certain staff sergeant-majors in dealing with returned soldiers. Mr Allen said he was sorry if returned men were not treated by these officers in a polite, conciliatory, and proper manner. '1 h it was the attitude the staff were expected to adopt towards every soldici, whoever he might be. -Five specific oases were quoted' and the Minister said the majority would require Departmental investigation. Mr Allen emphatically denied that the Australians gave each of the returned soldiers £lO on discharge. He expressed the opinion that 30s was sufficient in practically every case and it was impossible to discriminate.

REPLY BY DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. (Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. .Replying to allegations that return-, ed soldiers at Hamner were badly treated Defence headquarters state that all that lias happened is that the majority of the men brought before the Medical Board were dealt with slightly sooner than otherwise because they were proving themselves unrulyAny rights they had under the Pensions Act still existed, and the same applied to their pay.. It was necessary to maintain discipline for the men’s own sake. The headquai iers have every confidence in the discretion of Lieut.-Colonel Loache, the officer in command at Hamner.