SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17099, 23 February 1916, Page 8

SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS.

. METHODS IN WELLINGTON. INQUIRIES BY CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS OFFICERS'. A few days in Wellington have given Messrs'J. M. Turnbull and J. D. Millton, officers of tbo Citizens' Defence Corps, an insight into methods followed there in keeping soldiers' records', arranging for their pay, and attending to other things that have caused some complaints. As a result of these inquiries, misapprehensions have been removed, mid Messrs Turnbull and Millton praise the state of efficiency reached in the departmental work. They spent one afternoon Hull the Director of Base Records, Major, Norton'Francis, and with the officer i« charge ot the pay branch, Mr'G. 0. Rodd3j and they stated yesterday that the method of keeping the records'and history of every member of the Expeditionary Force seemed to be absolutely perfect. The only weakness, apparently, is in the military districts, some ot which do not keep abreast of this work. The consequence is that there is delay sometimes in answering inquiries made to the Base Records. But it the military districts forward the necessary information punctually, everything goes along with the smoothness of clockwork. The Pay Office depends on tlie Base Records Office and shares with it the admirable methods now in use. The position of a man's pay can be ascertained without any delay whatever. It is necessary, however, for the men themselves to help in the work. For instance, when on leave they should inform the Pay Office beforehand of their whereabouts, and they should report all changes of address.. If they did this, the Department's work would be simplified and the men would find that they had fewer grievances. Men who received extra pay or promotion at the front should make sure that the extra rate is entered on page 1 of their paybook.~ Sometimes final settlement is delayed by the returns from Egypt not coming to hand promptly. In some instances months have elapsed before these returns have reached New Zealand. Up to the present time no wayhas been discovered of avoiding this difficulty, which simply has to be endured.

These two departments have been handicapped by the lack of proper accommodation., but an improvement . is being made in this respect. No fewer than 110 clerks are employed on the staff of the pay office, and this number, probably, wiil be increased to 190. Last year the sum. of £701.370 was paid over the counter of the Pay Office. In addition a. large sum was sent to different parts of the Dominion in allotment money. In the inward mail there are about 600 letters and 200 telegrams daily, and all day long there are inquiries, every soldier who produces proper papers being given consideration. As a matter of fact, the departments court inquiry, and the Christchuroh. visitors were asked to forward every reasonable complaint promptly.

TO ASSIST RECRUITING. . A visit was made to the War League recruiting office, which is. conducted on the same lines as the Citizens' Defence Corps' recruiting office in Hereford Street, but the Wellington institution has a notable advantage in the attendanre of a doctor and a dentist, who examine recruits as soon as they register. There is no weekly examination, as in Christcbureh. and there is one process for the whole business. The "Wellington doctors and dentists arrange amongst themselves for one of each profession to be constantly in attendance. This arrangement, it seemed to the visitors, might be made use of in Cliristohurch.

INFORMATION BUREAU.. The Soldiers' Information Department, conducted by Mr Sampson, was inspected, and . evidence of efficiency was found there also. Mr Sampson, by the way, stated that the Citizens' Defence Corps' branch of this department is the best agency of the kind in the Dominion. He specially complimented Mr A. .T. Symons, who has charge of details of the agency. . ' SOLDIERS' CLUBS.

At the Soldiers' Club -in Sydney Street the men are given free meals, which are supervised by a committee of ladies. This clnb is used by men in camp who happen to be in Wellington. Tn Lambton Quay a Returned Soldiers' Club has been established in temporary buildings; it is conducted on the same lines as the Returned Soldiers' Club in Christenureh. Finally the visitors went to Trentham, where they found things in apple-pie order, and where, they judged, the military authorities had made, the best of the somewhat unpromising natural conditions.