DEMOBILISATION.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15095, 11 June 1919, Page 2

DEMOBILISATION.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND

SYSTEMS,

Ihe publication of a booklet on the' demobilisation of the Australian forces enables an interesting comparison to be made between the methods of "New Zealand and the neighbouring Common-' wealth. There is a great deal of similarity botween the systems, but in some important respects New Zealand offers its'soldiers advantages over those afforded the Australians. For instance, there is no four weeks' free railway pass issued in Australia, where the soldier is simply given a free pass to his home. Our men get this, and may commence to use their privilege rail pass later. If, an Australian wishes to go into an en..'l'stment idis^rict (other that in! winch he enlisted, he is informed that he must expect delay In completing- Ms pay. Under the centralised New' Zeamnd system there is no necessity for delay through this cause. Supplemen-! tary pensions are paid in both countries, the Australian maximum bein^ £3 1/s per week, while the New Zealand maximum is £5. The contrast is more notable in con-' nection with the. disembarkation procedure. Australian soldiers are required fco proceed from the.ship to a depot for medical examination, and they are ship, enabling the soldier—unless he' renection ■with this inspection. New Zealand disposes of the whole matter on the ship enabling the soldier—unless he re-guu-es medical treatment—to leave for home, and not again go-near a defence ofhce. The same rates of sustenance are paid in both countries to soldiers who have failed to obtain a position after discharge, while Australia also pays a sustenance allowance of. 3s per day during the leave prior to discharge, wliich in.the case of 1914 men, is a period of 60 days-unless they have taken leave .'.broad The other Australian soldiers get i ;i days leave for every six months' service with a minimum of 14 days. jSewZeaandV system gives all soldiers nfll^ >efT e °n full Pas'' of 14 days' leave abroad, if railway and shipping facilities will permit. The Australian housing provision is for an advance up to £700 at"6 percent, including a sinking fund which pays off the .Win 37 years. New Zealand hasa system of advances up to £750 at i Per cent, which pays off the loan m.25* years, or £1,000 if it 5 necessary to buy a site and house.