TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 153, 30 June 1917, Page 8

TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

BLENHEIM-WM,LINiGTON FARES

During the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill Mr 11. McCallum (Waira») took the.opportunity- to refer to what he termed a national and not..a parochial matter. His grievance was that'the country.had no right to ask their soldiers to .travel steerage. Only recently 37.0f our boys who are going to fight thel-mttles of the coun-try--and some of them will never return—had been compelled to travel from Blenheim to Welington in a smalt steamer which usually did not carry passengers, and when they got to Wellington there was nowhere for them to go. The mpn were not receiving the treatment they were entitled to.

During question time to-day in the House, Mr Mc-Oallum .asked tlio Minister for Railways if his attention lias boon drawn to the action of the Union Shipping Company, which has incre:i:*ed its fares between Picton and Wellington by.over 25 per cent., in consequence of the withdrawal by his Department of the coupon system. Tho travelling public would not have resented this unfair and extraordinary increase if the extra, moneys went into the Government's coffers, 'but the annoying and irritating point is that the Depai tment's action has played into the hands of the Union Company and against tho general public.