THE THIRTY-EIGHTHS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1339, 29 May 1918, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE THIRTY-EIGHTHS.

DEMAND FURTHER LEAVE. DEMONSTRATION AT TRENTHAM. [Special to The Sun.] WELLINGTON, May 28. About 500 members of the 38th Infantry Reinforcement took part in a demonstration at Trentham camp last night in support of a request for special extended leave. The men held a meeting, listened to some speeches, and sent a deputation to the Camp Adjutant, who ordered them to wait until to-morrow for a final decision. The 38th Reinforcement had their long leave at Easter lime, and it appears that some of them consider they did not get a reasonable chance to settle their family and business affairs. There are substantial reasons why they cannot be granted much additional leave now." Without passing any judgment on the complaint of the 38th Infantry Reinforcement, it may be mentioned that the tendency of the future will be to curtail the periods of leave. The report of the Defence Commission is likely to contain a suggestion that there is too much leave given to the recruits. The period of training, all told, is the bare minimum required to produce efficiency. H would be more satisfactory, from the military point of view, if the amount of leave granted were reduced substantially, in order that the recruits might learn their new duties without distractions. Defence Headquarters would like recruits to arrange their private affairs before entering camn, and to regard themselves as full-fledged soldiers from the day of mobilisation. Second Division men are allowed three months' leave between medical examination and mobilisation, so that they have plenty of time to make their plans.