SOLDIERS’ HOLIDAY LEAVE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 22, 19 March 1918, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ HOLIDAY LEAVE.

DEFENCE MINISTER’S REPLY.

Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P., has received the following telegram from Sir James Allen, Minister for Defence: — “Referring to our representations regarding Easter leave for men in: camp, this matter has been carefully gone into by me with the Commandant, but I regret that the maximum period ol Easter leave must be restricted to the four Easter days. As you are aware, the Thirty-sixth and ' Thirty-seventh Reinforcements had their final leave during Christmas time, and in addition to the usual period had extra leave which in some cases ran into over a fortnight. The Thirty-eighth Reinforcements are being permitted to take their final leave to cover the Easter period. The Thirty-ninth Reinforcements were only mobilised early this month, consequently sufficient time has not elapsed to warrant the granting of extended leave to this draft. These men will, however, be granted local leave in common with the men of the Thirty-sixth and Thirtyseventh Reinforcements. To grant additional time for local leave would seriously interfere with training and the organisation of the respective camps. But apart from this there are difficulties in the way in respect of transport, as extra train and boat services would have to be provided. I also wish to point out that the railway and steamship companies will have to provide in the days immediately following Easter Monday the necessary transport for the Fortieth Reinforcements, which will then be mobilising.’ ’ Mr Field wired the Minister for Defence as follows :— * 1 Telegram received, but would point out that the 01 camp is apparently not referred to. The point is that unless leave is .extended for a few hours the Nelson men will have to lose two days at Easter, as there is no steamer between, Saturday night and Monday'night.”

DUNEDIN - , March 13. Dr. Thacker, M.P., sent the following telegram to Sir James Allen respecting Easter leave:—“Your reply is most unsatisfactory. You are merely sidetracking the main issue and giving preference to civilian Easter traffic instead of to soldiers. You are forcing three or four thousand relatives to go to Wellington at a coat of £lO or £ls. One trip of the Maori is all that, is necessary, which the Union Company could give free as a mere bagatelle discount on its war profits. Please try again to let the men away the Wednesday before Good Friday."