RETURNED TROOPERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4467, 21 September 1901, Page 3

RETURNED TROOPERS.

SHOULD THE COUNTRY ASSIST . THEM? /.( “Veteran” writes:—lt is not a matter for surprise that some of our troopers expect so much consideration. Unfortunately, the cause of this had' its ■igin in the promises made by the Preu.ier, who, instead of giving such glow- < g promises that all Government plums » ould be plucked by them, would have ”) 'ie the right thing by saying. “Men, yhi* are going at the call of the Empire, s> j .‘ all honour to you; but when you re ij.q, I trust you will quietly settle dovrt your work, and not consider you have any further claim on the State, unless you return broken down in health. .Then it will be the duty of tho State to make provision for you.” This would have relieved the' right hori*gentleman of a great responsibility. They are all young," hearty men. There are men <in the colony who fought for the Empire before any of the troopers saw the light. . Some of them,, who are still capable of light employment, receive no consideration. I strongly, protest against the stand taken by some men who have returned. They are imbued with the idea that the world never possessed such heroes were well paid; and once having returned they ought to quietly settle down in the old groove, and amuse theiir friends at the fireside with all they saw and did, instead of keeping “ on shpw ” in towns. No wonder a few mild rebukes were administered, which have had the desired effect. The future Vras no doubt the great-factor in moving many to cross to Sooth Africa. ■ This is made quite clear by the stand some are taking. For the credit of those who are free from this agitation; and who have quietly settled down, I trust those who are agitating for impossible favours' will take the nmt, and go and do likewise, and bless their stars that they got hack to the best little country under the sun. Mr J. Jamieson presents the • other side of the subject in a letter, in which he asks: —'What is the Government going to do for the returned troopers? The high praise given them both by

the Mother Country and our own is all right in its place; but that in will not suffice. When our men were called upon to volunteer for service in South Africa they came forward in that spirit of true patriotism which has so pointedly marked their achievements on the battlefield, winning for them and their country lasting honours. They were promised some consideration on their return. Now, what consideration has been, or is likely to bo given them ? It is true tho State cannot instal every one into special billets. Many have gone back to their former employment, ut there are a great number or them at present out of work. Having no profession, and not being skilled workers, they find themselves in a very hopeless condition. Many of them could have secured work in South Africa if allowed to stop there; but they were ordered back, and now are practically destitute. I would propose that the Government at once make special arrangements for the settlement of those men on the land; that a block of suitable land bo placed at their disposal, under specially favourable conditions, and that they bo assisted financially to settle on such land. By doing this the young men will be encouraged to stay in the country, adding to its resources and promoting their own happiness. lam surprised that our Government has not taken some practical step in this direction long ago. To offer men navvy work is an insult to them; whereas, helping to settle them on the lines suggested would be mors in keeping with the professed spirit of true democracy, of which we boast. I trust that every paper in New Zealand will use its influence for and on behalf of our returned troopers.