RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14128, 3 July 1916, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

"STRANDED FOR WEEKS."

(Feom Our Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, June 30

While the Defence Estimates were being considered in the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr. Veitch referred to con: plaints made that returned soldiers were not being well treated. The Minister had promised to appoint special officers in the principal centres to ascertain the position of returned men, with the ..ob-ject-of placing grievances in an official way before the Minister. This, he believed, had been done, but he contended that in such places as Wanganui there was need for action. He k fnew of cases in which men had been left stranded for weeks, or had been perhaps given a first class ticket on the railways for a holiday when they had not even enough money to pay for their board.

The Hon. James Allen, in reply, .admitted that there had been delay in the past, before the work was thoroughly organised, Irat things were much improved now, and he considered the work was being done very efficiently. In fact, inquiries were dealt with promptly. There seemed to be no necessity to appoint special officers now to receive- returned soldiers' grievances, as the men were inquiring theirselves much more freely, besides which Mayors and others were assisting. Mr. Wilford contended that the Minister was quite out of touch with the feeling throughout the country on the subject of the treatment of returned nien. There were a great many instances of hardship, and while the Minister was always courteous in reply to many qinuiries. which he had made himself on behalf of soldiers or their, relatives, that ended the matter, as the reply never contained any satisfaction. He believed the experiences of many mothers and fathers in the country were absolutely heartbreaking in this- respect.

Mr. Nosworthy defended the Minister, .declaring that he had ncade many inquiries at the Base Records Office' and had always received prompt satisfaction and replies.

Mr. Veitch quoted instances snowing lack of organisation in dealing with men. contended that the department should be organised so that a man should never be lost sight of unti his case was settled

Mr. Alten contended that tlie disorganisation complained of was at the other end.