REWARDING THE SOLDIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 14

REWARDING THE SOLDIER

Sir, —Having read numerous letters 011 "Rewarding the Soldier," may I give the opinion that in the first place to grant free tram rides without the same concession applying to all forms of transport is not practicable, as many licence-holders could not afford to do their bit. The same applies to business firms when asked to supplement the soldiers' wages while on military duty. • Now I would like to ask in what way is the recruit inferior to tho public works employee that he should not be given an equal wage and overtime rate such as tliat paid, not only to those on public works* but also in any form of industry? Surely such public works as tourists' roading schemes could bo postponed, thus saving thousands of pounds which could be paid to tho soldiers; also some of our very expensive railway extensions would not bo missed for a few more years. The soldier should bo paid as well as arc the best paid workers in New Zealand and even then he would bo sacrificing the comfort of his home and entertainments and luxury, not to mention a spare pair of trousers when wet through in bad weather. The soldier has to face dangers not encountered by thoso who work at homo. Onr Government finds the means to vaiso the wages in every other walk of life (except the farming) so why not make an equal distribution to tho pick of New Zealand's manhood? It appears to me that this would be not only quite fair but _ a ' s o in keeping with "building a Nation." ' Comsik IL FAUT.