SOLDIERS’ LEAVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ LEAVE

ENFORCED CURTAILMENT ALL FERRY BERTHS BOOKED DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 13. A complaint that several hundred South Island soldiers will lose two days of their present leave, because civilians have booked all the berths on the steamer express leaving Lyttelton on the night before the men are due back at Trentham on August 22, was made to-day by a Canterbury.sergeant. He said that all the South Island drafts* have been instructed to return to o Wellington by a special ferry steamer which would make a daylight trip on August 20. This had caused intense dissatisfaction among the soldiers. The sergeant added that the reason given was that alternative accommodation would not be available later. As the men were not due back in camp until the night of August 22, this meant that thsv would have to spend two days of their leave in Wellington, instead of being able to leave Lyttelton on the night of August 21 by the ordinary steamer express. He and other soldiers thought it was not fair that civilians should come before soldiers Those men training in North Island camps whose homes were in the South Island naturally wished to spend as much of their leave as possible with their families. While in Wellington, the ’ sergeant communicated with the office of the Minister of Defence. Mr \F. Jones, and was told by' his secretary that it was impossible to make alternative arrangements. The sergeant also referred the matter to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland. EXPLANATION BY tyUNISTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF QUESTION (O.C.V * WELLINGTON. Aug. 13. ' “The point of view of the soldiers concerned is fully appreciated by me,’ 1 said the Minister of Defence. Mr F. Jones, when the Christchurch complaint was referred to him. “My department spent much time with the shipping authorities in making the best possible arrangements. The whole question is governed by the available sea transport, which unfortunately is at present somewhat restricted.

“Further consideration is being given to the question,” he added, "to see whether such rearrangement can be made 3s will enable the men to spend as much time as possible in their own homes before the expiry of their full period of leave.” .