SELFISH MINISTERS.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14893, 16 October 1918, Page 2

SELFISH MINISTERS.

AN OFFICERS' GRIEVANCE

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY INCIDENT

On Thursday last a correspondent telegraphed from Wellington to .the Christchurch "Sun" as follows: —

Soldiers who have had considerable experience in campaigning- do not mind ;) little inconvenience in their own country at times, .but naturally they object to unnecessary hardships'. When they suffer hardship, even if it is only temporary, through the selfishness of Ministers of the Orr.wn, it is not to bo wondered at that they wax caustic in thfir criticisms. -There are several officers whose opinion of at least two members of the New Zealand Cabinet is decidedly unflattering. Amongst the many passengers for Auckland by the Main Trunk express last Saturday were a dozen or more \M)iy.ided or sick officers ■on leave. ■Naturally, they hoped to get a* much comfort as possible- on the long and •■''Pl!g journey. But there was only one sleeping carriage in tlie train. 3\J;on the officers, some of whom were very u.nwell. tried to obtain sleeping berths, they found that two Ministers of the Crown had reserved for themselves two four-berth compartments, leaving; only twelve berths for such of the other passengers as wished to obtain sleeping accommodation. The available number of berths being so limited, several of the wounded and sick officers liad to put up with seats in the ordinary carriages throughout the night. Yet. there were several empty berths in the compartments occupied by the two politicians. The officers sent a note to the Ministers, asking if the latter knew that' there »•• ere several sick and wounded officers unable to obtain sleeping-berths,-' but they received no reply.