TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9257, 26 January 1916, Page 6

TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS

COMPARISON WITH AUSTRALIA.

Press Association^

AUCKLAND, January 25. Comparisons have been made on several occasions recently between the methods adopted by Australia and Now Zealand in the t/eatment of soldiers returned from active ■ service. These comparisons have generally been in disparagement of the New Zealand policy and opportunity was taken to-night by the Prime Minister to explain that the position had not been fairly stated. The statement made by one soldier was that on his return from the firing line an Australian is permitted to travel free on the railways and when discharged is allowed £lO to puichaso civilian clothing. He made the contrast l|y stating that a New Zealander is allowed only a suit of clothes, or as an alternative a sura of 30s.

Inquiries have been made by Mr Massey, and ho has been advised that on his return from the firing line the Australian’ soldier is given a free rail way pass during his furlough, and that term Mr Massey understands to be, the period between recovery and return to camp or discharge. No money is given for the purchase of civilian clothing unless in exceptional cases, hut on discharge the soldier is given clothing to the value of £l. The provision made in these respects for returned soldiers in New Zealand is explained in the official handbook. A ticket entitling the holder to travel free on all Government railways, including free meals on the dining-cars, is granted for a period of three weeks to all returned soldiers while on furlough, and free tickets are given to any man on sick leave when the Medical Board considers he is fit to travel. Upon arrival in New Zealand the clothing equipment of every soldier is completed to ts»o uniforms with a greet coat, hat, cap, Mt bag, hoots and underclothing. This equipment becomes the property of the soldier on discharge, and he is specially recommended to preserve one uniform in good order for fipecial occasions. On discharge he receives in addition one suit of plain clothes and cap, an equivalent of 30s.