"YOUR WAGES"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10210, 21 February 1919, Page 3

"YOUR WAGES"

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir, —I am pleased to see by your insertion of the article under the above heading that you, at least,- are alive to the seriousness of the situation, and I appeal to you to continue the crusade against the apathy of our legislators. We are promised that all New! Zealand troops will be returned by the end of the year. Probably before the Jfremier an<j Sir Joseph Ward return there may bo 20,000-fit and able-bodied men 1 landed who must be provided for. The repatriation boards may be doing excellent work, and if they can place 1 per cent, of these men on the land wo will have cause to be -highly satisfied with them. But what of the other 99 per cent.? Every unit of that force has a knowledge of combined action, while many have developed an expert knowledge of organisation, as well as combined action. Many people placate themselves with the idea that the standing army (which appears to be an accepted legacy of the war) will absorb the surplus men. In times of peace Germany could not ai'- 1 ford to keep more than about 1 per cent, of her population under arms at rates of pay varying from about twopence per day, while in New Zealand—according to a recent Government advertisement—wo intend to pay nine shillings for the lowest grade per day. Assuming that we are prepared to maintain a standing army as strong in proportion as Germany's peace establishment and at rates of pay for privates five thousand per cent, higher—an almost impossible position—we could absorb about 10,000 men. The problem still remains what to do with the remainder. Government action is necessarily 6low in its effectiveness, but we are faced with a position which demands immediate action. Are we to await the return of the Premier and Sir Joseph Ward before action is taken? The result ot Such lethargy may . eclipse the dreams of the most "Bolshovitic Spartacuean" (cable news interpretation). Sir, it is up to us to commence action without further delay to redeem the solemn promises made to these men, who so nobly came forward to fight our battles, and left their means of subsistence on our word of honour that they would be reinstated. The private employer may bo doing his best, but the Government took these men. and the responsibility of reinstating them in productive employment rests 6olely on the Government. J. MILIJiIH, February 17th, 1919.