DEMOBILISATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14136, 9 June 1919, Page 5

DEMOBILISATION.

AUSTRALIAN' AND NEW ZEALAND SYSTEMS. (By Telegraph—“ Times” Special.) WELLINGTON, Yesterday. * , Thc .Publication of a booklet on the demobilisation of the Australian forces enables an interesting comparison to be : made between the methods of New Zea- ; land and the neighbouring Commonwealth. 1 here is a groat deal of simil--1 ai >ty between the systems, but in some ; important respects Now Zealand offers ' its soldiers advantages over those p,f----i forded the Australians. For instance, ; jthere is no four weeks’ free railway pass issued in Australia, where the soldier is simply given a free pass to hi« ' home. Our men get this, and many commence to use their privilege rail pass later. If an Australian wishes to : go into an enlistment district other than that in which lie enlisted, he is inform- ; cd that he must expect delay in completing his pay. Under the centralised i for New Zealand system there is no ncj eessity for delay through this cause. , Supplementary pensions arc paid in both countries, the Australian maximum, i being £3 17/ per week, while thc New : Zealand maximum is £5. I The contrast is more notable in eonj motion with thc disembarkation pro- ■ cedure. Australian soldiers are required . to proceed from thc ship to a depot for medical examination, and they are offi- . cially exhorted to be patient in eonnecj tion with this inspection. New Zealand | disposes of the whole matter on the | skip, enabling the soldier —unless he re- | quires medical treatment—to leave for home and not again go near a defence ofSce. The same rates of sustenance arc paid in both countries to soldiers who have failed to obtain a position after discharge, while Australia also pays a sustenance allowance of 3/ per day during [ the leave prior of GO days unless they , have taken leave abroad. The other i Australian soldiers get 7 (,2 days leave j t’or every six months ’ service, with a. I minimum of 14 days. New Zealand’s 1 system gives all soldiers 28 days’ leave jon full pay, irrespective of 14 days j leave abroad if railway and shipping facilities will permit. The Australian housing provision is for an advance up to £7OO at 6 per cent, including a sinking fund which pays off thc loan in 37 years. New Zealand has a system of advances up to £750 at 7 per cent., which ]).avs off the loan in 25V> years, ( *r £IOOO if it is necessar}* to bny a site ■ and house.