MOTOR-BOAT PATROL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1360, 22 June 1918, Page 11

MOTOR-BOAT PATROL.

VIEWS OF CORRESPONDENTS. ANOTHER 2/6 PER DAY WANTED. <3BWe have received the following letters on the subject of the pay of New Zealanders serving in the motor boat patrol:— To the Editor of THE SUN.

Sir, —I can sympathise to some extent with your correspondents who have urged the Government to recognise the indubitably valuable work carried out by our boys of the Imperial Motor Patrol by subsidising their pay to the extent of 2/6 per day. The letter in to-night's Sun afforded a good indication of the invaluable services the motor patrol forces are rendering the Empire. The men are ont in all weathers, are exposed day and night to the natural perils of the sea, intensified a hundredfold by the malignity of the Huns, and when the call goes forth for volunteers for a dash into hell, as at Zeebrugge and Ostend, they are never found hanging back. If an infantryman is worth 5/per day, surely the patrols should receive that amount at least? But there is this to be remembered. Our boys knew, when they were invited to form this branch of the Navy, just what the conditions were. If memory serves me well, the Government viewed their going with some disfavour. Nevertheless, scores left New Zealand, content to accept the 2/6 per day offered by the Imperial Government. It did not take them long to discover that it wss bo picnic mine-sweeping, and so forth; hence the appeal for more money.

Having made this point, I would like to add my opinion that our Government might see its way to grant the concession sought, f notice that the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. Mr Russell) has promised to interest himself in the matter. If he can do anything to help these brave fellows to the extra 2/6 he will earn the gratitude of many parents in this district. —I am, etc.,

ANOTHER FATHER. Linwood, Juno 21. To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —In reference to the two letters, "Old Sea Dog" and "Father of One of them," I think it is about time that some of our so-called patriots took up the cause of those volunteers who are sacrificing their lives every minute of the day and night to keep our trade routes open and to ailow our troops to be transported to France. These men are receiving the sum of 2/6 per day as pay. Can you tell me the value of 2/6 in England at the present time? I know it is worth 1/6 with the cost of living as it is; yet these volunteers', men who earn £5 per week and more in their civil capacity as mechanics, are asked not only to give, their knowledge towards helping the Empire to win the war, but also their lives. Is that justice? Justice at 2/6 per day. It is a blot on the page of New Zealand's history, ami can only be eradicated by our Cabinet granting these volunteers the same rate of pay as our Expeditionary Force. Let me here drift a minute. Some people have circulated the report that these patrol men are under the direct authority of the Imperial Government. Do those responsible know whether the men of the Expeditionary Force, when they arrive in England are under the direct, authority of Sir James Allen or the Imperial authorities? They are, to my mind, under the latter, 'if this is so, where is the difference between the patrol men and them?

Are the dangers of the patrol less than those of the trenches? No. They are greater! Wo have just had the account of the Zeebrugge raid. What greater dangers have ever threatened men? I was speaking to a returned soldier, and he said, "I would far rather spend a year in the trenches than a week with those men." This is only the opinion of one, but we have only to read the account of that raid to know what it meant. We have a Navy League in our own city. What has' it done towards seeing that justice is done these men'? One thing—it has refused to answer correspondence. We hear that the Navy is the safeguard of the Empire; well, sir, if this is true, why does not our Government, do the right thing by these volunteers of New Zealand, who are part of our Navy? I trust, when others read this, thev will help towards getting these volunteers the consideration they deserve. Your own pen, sir, is more able than mine. May I suggest that you wield it towards this end and help to eradicate this 2/6 justice and obtain real justice for the volunteers of the Motor Boat Patrol.—l am, etc.,

A LOVER OF JUSTICE. Christchurch, June 22, 1918. To ihe Editor of THE SUN. Sir,—lt was with pleasure that I read your report of the meeting of the Advisory Board of the N.Z. Federated Patriotic Societies, and of their action re the motor patrol men. I trust it is only the starting of an agitation that will assume such force that the powers responsible will be compelled to acknowledge the rights of these men to the same treatment in every respect as that received by other members of our Expeditionary Forces. I also hope that, the next meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Association will carry a motion granting them the right to full membership of the association, and insisting on the right of those men to the full benefits of the Pensions Act. I still hope to see the Mayor of Christchurch finding time to interest himself in this matter. I was pleased also to sec the letter by “Father.” Surely no one reading it could come to any other conclusion than that justice is not being dealt out fairly to that section of our lighting forces who are taking a fair share in the fight for the liberty of the world. One part of the letter, however, might well have been left out —the reference, viz., to Mr Massey. No matter what Mr Massey’s faults may be, I do not think he would be guilty of replying iu a discourteous manner to such a request? And what, has become of all the silvertongued orators of the great Liberal Party ? As a father to a father, I would like to say, “Let us think this matter out calmly and dispassionately, and blame no single man. Then further, ‘‘A Father” states that the Hon. 0. W. Russell assured him that the pay had been increased to 5/- per day. Is it not passing strange that no one outside the Cabinet has heard of it? However, with many others 1 will be more than pleased if it is so. “A Father” says also that Mr Massey told the boys that, i 1’ thev'were not satisfied he would use his influence to get them transferred to the land forces. Let me ask “Father” a question. Would he believe it if some person told him that he was going to use his influence to have General Codlev put in charge or the British Navy? “Father” must know 1 hat once our forces reach the front, whether on land or water, they pass out of Dominion control until returned to New Zealand. Thanking you for allowing me lo con-

timic the battle for justice to tlie motor patrol lads. —1 a in, etc, OLD SKA DOG. • [We Imve round it necessary, out of regard I'or our space, to omit certain sentence.-, from our correspondent's letter. We have tried, all the s;>mi\ to retain all his leading points.-JM. The Sun.]