THE NEW ZEALAND SOLDIER

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 58

THE NEW ZEALAND SOLDIER

PRIVILEGES UPON RETURN

The first demobilisation edition of the Returned Soldiers' Handbook has been issued. The handbook has undergone a thorough pruning, which is to its advantage, as the returning soldier has usually so much to occupy his attention, so many perosnal interests, that he endeavours to dispose as speedily as possible of anything savouring of "red tape." The Defence authorities are evidently cognisant of this little _ -weakness, which often leads the soldier to neglect his own interests, for they have issued simultaneously the handbook -a six-pago summary of the 40 pages. The summary, a handy pamphlet, is to be given to every returning soldier while on the ship, and he may obtain the . full copy of the 'regulations on application. A little later, it is proposed to issue a special chapter on repatriation for the guidance of the men before they set foot in New Zealand.

For the benefit of the soldiers' relatives, who are almost as much interested in his privilege* as the soldier himself, a brief outline of the privileges to which the returned soldier is entitled may be givenBefore disembarking, the soldier obtains an advance of pay amounting to £5, if available, though if he is sent direct to hospital the advance is £l. Except those who have been returned for punishment, or who contracted disease through their own action, returning soldiers receive before discharge a warrant entitling them to free railway travelling for a period of 28 days. This must be used within three months following the date of the commencement of the 28 days' leave on full pay which they receive on disembarkation, prior to discharge. Invalided soldiers obtain this privilege when their treatment is completed. Prior to discharge, the soldier must travel in uniform, but if he uses the _ pass after discharge, when he wears mufti, he must carry his discharge certificate to prove his bona fides. While travelling on the pass, the soldier is entitled to free meals where trains stop for this purpose. The New Zealand steamship companies have generously joined with the . Government in this concession to the extent of granting the returned soldier return tickets for single fare. The companies which *rrant this privilege are the Union Steam Ship Company, Hud-dart-Parker (Limited), Northern Steamship Company, Richardson and Co., Anchor Shipping Company, and Wairau Steamship Company. In cases where the soldier has to receive medical treatment prior to discharge, the Medical Board on the ship will grant one week's sick leave before the treatment commences, if it is possible to do so without injury to _ his health. Tills will enable him to visit his relatives before undergoing hospital treatment. There are oases in which the sick leave privilege cannot be extended. Then the wife and parents are given free railway passes to the town in which the hospital is situated. Application for theso passes must be made to the Base Records Office. Where there is no wife or parent, one 'warrant will be issued to the next-of-kin. Though fuH pay goes on while the soldier is In hospital, the soldier will only receive, by fortnightly warrants, Is 6d per day, though allotments go on as usual. The balance is paid him as soon as he leaves the hospital.

The provisions regarding discharge aro best given in full as they appear in the Handbook:—

(a) If medical treatment is not required, the soldier will receive 28 days' privilege leave, and be discharged. (b\ The soldier returned invalided and requiring medical treatment will not, unless otherwise determined by the Commandant, be discharged _ from the Expeditionary Force during such time as he continues to require medioal treatment as an impatient of a hospital or'convalescent home.

(c) Out-patiente will be discharged when a medical board considers that -they are able to undertake _ some civil employment* and recommends discharge.