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Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 562, 27 November 1915, Page 8

Cabinet is entitled to have excuses made for it when its military methods are considered; New Zealand was not in the least prepared for the business of supplying and providing soldiers on a large scale, and mistakes have been made, and are still being made, but it is encouraging to note that Ministers are learning from their errors. The deputation of invalided soldiers which waited on the Prime Minister on Thursday, and brought to his notice some examples of departmental shortsightedness, did well, and we are glad to learn that Mr Massey very promptly took steps to have these matters remedied. The chief complaints of the men were that they were expected to maintain themselves on 5/- per day until they were fit enough to be returned to the front, that they had no clothes other than those they stood in, and no kits had been given them when they were granted leave. Until a soldifcr is discharged he is entitled to all the care which the Defence Department contracts to give in return for his services. In camp or at the front he receives his kit and his keep, plus his soldiers pay, and there is no reason why he should not get these while he is an invalid on leave. Of course, if he were to stay in a convalescent hospital he would receive these things in the ordinary way, and it is possible to bring forward good reasons for not giving the men an extra allowance of 2/- a day while on leave. The matter of providing clothing the Prime Minister has arranged, and there seems no reason why convalescent men should not be given a pass over the railways, nor why they should not receive their, pay weekly instead of monthly. With these rights and.Concessions given, the invalided soldier who has frie,nds should be fairly well provided for, and in exceptional cases, when additional assistance is necessary, there remain the Patriotic Funds. We understand that these funds were raised to provide for extra assistance and exceptional cases.