RETURNED TROOPERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12426, 15 February 1901, Page 4

RETURNED TROOPERS.

The remarks which Sergeant Wilkinson made at a cycling club’s social gathering concerning the treatment of trooper's invalidted home should not be allowed to pass unnoticed. We can hardly believe that they were made without good reason, and on the other hand, we are unwilling to believe that the people of the colony have been so neglectful of an obvious duty. The complaint, in effect, is that troopers returning from the war are sometimes landed in the colony without sixpence in their pockets, that they have to reach their honies somehow, and that practically no assistance is given them en route unless they have friends to depend upon. Primarily, the troopers should net be allowed to leave South Africa without sufficient money to carry them lo their homes, and it will be remembered that the, (loveminent appointed, an agent in Cape Town to see that our soldiers should not be neglected when they were invalided heme. It was because of complaints from Australia that this action was taken. The New Zealand agent, has proved himself so enthuriastic and sympathetic a friend to ihe Contingents tluir' we must nfft be too,ready to find flaws in his work now, and Sergeant Wilkinson, it will : be seen, ■ made .up direct reference to

what happened at the Cape Tevm end of the voyage. His complaint has to do with; New Zealand’, and it should be very easy, to set the matter right. We have, hither-: to, taken it for granted that the Patriotic Committee at the port of arrival attended to the wants of the invalids, but to make assurance doubly sure it would be as well, in future, for some responsible person to interview every trooper passing through Christchurch - on his Way home, so that he may at least be supplied l with money if he needs it, As for those who have a few hours or days td spend in the city, organisations like the athletic clubs might very well invite them' to their rooms, while even a private citizen has it in his power to make their stay enjoyable. Perhaps a, small Reception Committee, consisting chiefly of young men, could be set up to attend to this duty, and we may surely look to one of the clubs to move in the matter.