LEAVE AFFECTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 14 August 1941, Page 4

LEAVE AFFECTED

SOLDIERS FROM THE SOUTH SHIPPING DIFFICULTY Christchurch, Aug. 13. A complaint that several hundred ! South Island soldiers will lose two days of their present leave because civilians have booked all berths on the steamer express leaving Lyttelton on the night before the men ore due back at Trentham on 22nd August was made to “The Press” to-day by a Canterbury sergeant. He said that all South Island drafts had been instructed to return to Wellington by a special ferry steamer which would make a daylight trip on 20th August. This had caused intense dissatisfaction among I the soldiers. The sergeant .added that the reason given was that alternative accommodation would not he available later. As the men were not due back in camp till the night of 22nd August this meant that they would have to spend two days of their leave in Wellington instead of being able to leave Lyttelton on the night of 21st August by the ordinary steamer express. He and other soldiers thought it was not fair that civilians should come before soldier:-. Those men training in North Island camps whose homes were in the South Island naturally wished to spend as much of their leave as possible with their families. While in Wellington the sergeant communicated with the office of the Minister of Defence and was told by his secretary that it was impossible to make alternative 'arrangements. The sergeant also referred the matter to the Leader of the Opposition. “The point of view of the soldiers concerned is fully appreciated by me.” said the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, when the Christchurch complaint was referred to him. “My department spent much time with the shipping authorities in making the best possible arrangements. The whole question ■# governed by the available sea transport, which, unfortunately, is at present somewhat restricted. Further consideration is being given to the que<tion to see whether such a re-arrangr-ment can be made as will enable the men to spend as much time as possible in their own homes before the expiry of the full period of their leave.”—P A