"FRENCH" LEAVE

NZ Truth, Issue 539, 16 October 1915, Page 5

" FRENCH" LEAVE

The Trouble m the Troops

Pains and Penalties of Lingering

Long and Lovingly

Defence Department Enforces Discipline

To the recruits of a young couutry like New Zealand, who know little or nothing of the stern discipline of the King's Army, the enforcement of military regulations very frequently is regarded as unnecessary and harsh. But when it is recognised that there is less sentiment m warfare than m business, where sentiment is said not to exiat, j it is obvious that nothing approaching proper organisation can be obtained i unless orders are obeyed and regulations rigidly observed. However, it frequently happens m THE BEST REGULATED ARMY that even the general's commands are not conveyed to the rank and file, and It is hardly to be wondered at that i rules and regulations suffer at the hands of amateur warriors like those I now being mobilised In Britain's colo- ! nles. A complaint has been made to ■Truth- by the mother of one of New j Zealand's son* who voluntarily stepped out to do his duty for King and Country which shows that it is possible headquarters' orders were mislaid, misfired, or mistaken at the Hangiotu Camp, prior to the last departure of the forces, m consequence of which the i rank and file have been made to suffer. It appears that a large number of young rellows—said to be over 100— overstayed their extended leave, the last opportunity granted soldiers to | spend a few days with relatives and friends, and to take, m many cases, a last farewell. Upon returning and reporting at camp these men paid the penalty by "CJB." and forfeited pay aocordlng to the number of days they overstayed. In the case of the lad whose mother brought the matter under "Truth's" notice, he was penalised by ten days' "CJB." and three days' pay, 15s. He enlisted at Hedgehope. 32 miles from Invercarglll. and was granted ten days/ leave. Owing to the Lyttelton ferry steamer missing connection with the first South express he was forced to waste a day m Christchurch. When he was at home among his friends, he found the time at his disposal much too short, and he linger- | ed long and lovingly for three days on ■ "French" leave, under the impression all the time that he would merely lose I a small amount of pay, with a term of "C.8.," which means that a soldier has to be on duty from daylight till "lights out." Though "C.8." deprives a soldier of his liberty. | HE IS NOT A PRISONER doing little or nothing. He is drilled as usual, plus work all the time he Is not sleeping. Having duly paid the penalties of "C.8.," with forfeiture of pay, the "French leave" lads considered the I debt of their delinquencies settled. But a surprise awaited them for the lost pay-day, when they were each made to refund one penny per mile according to the distances each had travelled per Government railway. The Hedgehope warrior, having travelled a considerable distance, was "docked" the tidy sum of £2 2s sd, out of a pay of £2 10s. Men who had enlisted at places closeu* to camp were lightly "touched" In comparison. Wanganul culprits, for Instance, refunding about 7s. A poor married man, who travelled a long distance. It was stated, was paid Is 6d— and his wife waited at the pay office for it! All had to sign for £2 10«. If this Is the system adopted, it is not surprising that military muddles occur m accounts, as happened with the Milton officers. Tho hardest feature of the second dose of punishment was that it was left to the lost pay of alt. One or two pays had Intervened from the time of the first forfeiture and payment was made m full, but just when the men most neoded their money, to purchase little presents for the loved ones they were leaving behind and necessaries for themselves, the Government swooped down on their cash like A BOLD BUM-BAILIFF. On referring this matter to Colonel Gibbon. Chief of Staff at headquarters, "Truth" was informed that the authorities had been compelled to adopt drastic treatment of men overstaying the granted leave, owing to a great Increase of the offence. Au the time that could now be devoted to training was short and precious. It wan important that soldiers. tn-lhe-makinic should have all the training possible. The Minister of Defence had made public statements on this manor m the press and m Parliament. Intimating tho penalties that would ensue. In addition, battalion orders were posted m conspicuous places m camp setting out that refunds of railway far** would have to b« made by those ovemaying leave granted. Leave was granted to each man according to the dUtance to be travelled, and possible delays and so on were taken into consideration. This,' of course, puts a different complexion on the grievance lodged with "Truth." But. If 'Truth" In allowed to make a auggestlon it would be. In order to ensure equality In the punishment awarded defaulters, that tin? monotary forfeiture should bo on a day rule instead of by mileage. The unfuir operation of the latter, when the distance of Invercarglll Is compared with Wanganul, must bo obvious.

the telegri-m to her husband, William I'ullmtui, who c&-sh<nl it for her. Atik«d where ahe money from, j slut replied thai when she w»s working In Wellington, aho l>«m it trtrl 160 and thought that th« half »ov*>rt«ign telegraphed to her was part of thai amount. She could not #lvo th« imrne of the glrL She was v atruntror, whom the accused had met In lht> stri-ei. This clo»od the caiio for th« proat'euilon, Mr. Ca»Jildy xubmtitcd at thin «iag« that tho evidence hud failed to nhow In any d«*K>"ec " liU lho «ccu»«u m »l^niriß tho r<*coipt bud acjnd with any criminal intent. ' Thu B.M. «ucpreiuit»d the opinion that a prlmii 'facie ca*o hud been ejJtubllahHtHt, >lr. Caaalily urged that the chars*' nhould b<> redut!«?d. «o that hlu Worship could deal with the CAJJO IURI--murlly and save th« country tho <sxWMJue of acndlng tho girl to tho SuI pn-mf Court for trial In November. ,-vt'n \t thu cv«« sot poat th*i Grand Jury. U wan KubmiUtid that It would 1 1,,, tl wii«t«« of tlino to commit th« girl for trial, and to do »o meant Imprluon* nu'iu for H«r for fully & month, be* cuuKfi vhv wan J'KACTICAU.Y A STIIAXOKn m N«'W Zealand and could not got bail. Tho whulo fault iitpmi»d to Mv with lh« pon'.at authorities ill riot uddri'M»(ltlt? (h« i.,!owrfim to Lionel DavU. a« It tt'iuu the !iani« mlßtak«* might happen to anyone. The aeeu*«uj. |it«-adinic not «uilty and f-sprving h'>r d^fmifi*. \va»» eommUt«*d fpr trial. On h'.-r own rt-cofnlnaneo <>f i."19. sh" ffnii allowed to go to thr Hal* vaik»n Army Hume until the <Jatp of the htHirinf at U>« Supr«m« Court U ftxad.