TOMMIE'S CASH VALUE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 39, 22 May 1917, Page 7

TOMMIE'S CASH VALUE.

What is a soldier’s cash value ic the State? It depends, of course, or the man, and whether he is an ornament to the Service or a "King’r bad bargain” ; but a rough estimate is to be found in the conditions under which a soldier may buy lumafff out of the Army.

At any, time -Within three months of "taking the shilling" a recruit who has enlisted in haste and repented as quickly, has the right to purchase his discharge on payment of £lO down. After this period discharge by purchase is a favour, not a right.

For a soldier with Icm than years’ colour service the usual payable is £lB, but it may be mor« or less, according to bis branch of the Service and his nationality. Thus a member of the armament artificer section o! the Anrer Ordnance Corps who ifl in “Service pay” must forfeit £55 i* he wishes to b r eak his conti »ct with the Stat'u Cn the o ; her hand, anm European soldier may. be let o;T with a £l2 fine.

If a soldier can shew urgent reasons for being allowed to lea'o the Army before his proper time—as, fo,** instance, the destitution of his parents—he may be granted a free discharge.

After completing twelve years’ tiervice, Tommy Atkins is practically .entitled to, go scot-free, though, at least in theory, this is still a privilege.

At one time . professional football clubs made such a practice o! “TMiyh iUg out” promising Army players, that the Association made a rnle—still in force—declaring any soldier taking his discharge by purchase inelibible to play as a profess s onal within twelve months of the fiat* of his discharge.