SOLDIERS LETTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 88, 24 February 1864, Page 3

SOLDIERS LETTERS

I.v another column will be found 11 letter from a correspondent, suggesting a way in which, at very little cost to the public revenue, a very considerable benefit might be conferred upon the soldier and his family. It does indued seem hard that, wilh the small sumoflittleinorethanl ,vo shillings per week, which ihe soldier is able to save from his pay. and which ought, small as it. is. to go untouched towards the support of his wife 'and family, that he should be call.'d upon I".> pay the ordinary rate of colonial postage, when writing from the front l<, .Auckland, or that his wife in writing to him should he liable to the same expense.

Our correspondent's arguments, coming, as m> doubt they do. from bitter experience, are so much t.i the point, that He leave them to speak tor themselves. On one point, however, weave prepared t<> meet objection : for. en enquiring into the feasibility of' the matter, we learn, that the main objection to granting such a privilege would be. the large anticipated increase of the

mail from the front —that the privilege of free postage allowed to the army, woi:!d ler.d to a perfect roi-<-l/ii:* xi-rilrmli on the part of the M.ldier. "We very much doubt that llii» would be ihe result, f.-r, except in the ease of married men. and of the comparatively few who have friends in Auckland, llicre v.otdd not be any additional inci—ase to the present bulk ofliic mail. The oppririnnhios 1',.,- letter writing in a cam]) an- fen — the inclination for indulging in such an act. unL-.-s the feeling lie strong and the occasion urgent, is not groat.

There is. however, a middle course, we think, which might be taken, and which would entirelv do away with the objection, and yet meet the case, as laid down by our correspondent. All lelters sent from the front by soldiers, might be allowed lo pass free on their being franked by the commanding olliccr of the company : a certain number of such franks only being permitted per month, to each iiiiin-icil man of the various forces, whether men of the line, or of the YVnikato militia regiments. The same privilege might be permitted to the wives of soldiers in town or depot The ollicc of franking such letters being deputed lo the person in charge of such depot or barracks, where the wives and families nl'llx; men may for the time be stationed. Whatever course Lhe authorities may feel inclined fo take in (he matter, wceerfniidy reoommend (') them the consideration of the soldiers' claim i'or Ihi:; indulgence.