SOLDIER TOPICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12784, 30 October 1919, Page 7

SOLDIER TOPICS.

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO “DIGGERS.” t ■ ’ \ ■' ' ' (Written far the “Star.”) The writer of the following notes is conwunrtuig « weekly gallium to the “ 6tsr,“' **thng with subjects of topics! interest , j returned men. Inquiries may be ad«w#»ed to " Dugout,” care of the “ Star ” ■ sad returned men desiring in tori' rusbon or sdrice are invited to oonununii f lto with the writer, who mil do his host i to help them. Many returned soldiers who have .received word from the War Expenses department that the gratuity due, to them has been paid into their Savings , riank accounts, are wondering why • they have not received notice of receipt ot the money from the Savings Jiank. In such cases the men should , Present their , bank books at the bank without delay, for although tHo money has been placed to their credit, no | acknowledgement is sent out until tire amount is duly recorded in the depositors book. Other men who made application for the gratuity several I u°T b i, a 8 0 shaTe n ot yet received advice ) that the money has been paid into their j accounts. The War Expenses 1/epart- . m'eut, is paying out the gratuity as fast , ’t possibly can, and it is only natural that some delay should ensue if late application was made. In some cases as well, the delay is due to the complicated nature of the soldiers’ pay accounts, but it is hoped that before loim every man will receive the gratuitv due to him. ' ! While admitting the justice of .the 1 ■'I 1 , 1 ? i° r payment of the gratuity to • soldiers who have spent, periods in mili- . taiy hospitals after their return to ' Mew Zealand, Sir James Allen has practically decided not to adopt any hard and fast rule on the matter. U« , states that applications for the gratuity from such men should be made in writing, giving the particulars of the case, and each application will be treated on its merits. Apparently the Gov--1 eminent intends to deal generously with such cases, and by not fixing any definite period, will mete out justice to the men concerned, if it is proved that their retention in hospital was duo to war service and no fault of their own. The Citizens’ Defence Corps has undertaken to make application to the Government on behalf of men who have been in military hospitals since their return to New Zealand, and such in an should make a point of calling at the information bureau in Hereford Street without delay. A soldier who returned to M T ew Zealand by the Remuera informed the writer that quite a. number of “diggers” who had obtained their military \ discharges in England, were now regretting their hasty action and wanted to get back to Maoriland again. They seemed to have bitten off more than they could chew, and Blighty, which seemed the “'garden of dreams” to them while in uniform, presented a dull and drab appearance when they • changed into “civvies,” and set out to earn their daily bread. Whether the Government agreed to make any concessions .to such men to enable them to come home is not known, but the fact remains that General Richardson was able to foresee the position, and used every possible means to dissuade men from seeking their discharges in England, unless they had very good reasons indeed. Of course,,many failed to realise that the peaked hat and gay puggaree counted for a great deal in “.diggers’” favour in Loudon, and it was always possible to raise three meals a day and a bed without entailing much expense. Because of these conditions, many thought “ Blighty” offered wonderful prospects for them. But after all Now Zealand, with all its shortcomings,, is hard to, beat, unless a man has a fairly long purse and plenty of influence, Tho Canterbury Repatriation Board is composed of a number of well-mean-ing citizens, who ate out to do what they think is best for the returned soldiers. Sometimes, however' they get on to dangerous ground. Usually they go into committee om such occasions, in order that the public shall not be unduly alarmed. But the discussion on marriages at last night’s meeting, which was taken in open hoard, displayed an evident desire on the part of some members to adopt the policy of telling soldiers when they should and should not get married. Whatever may he the merits of the cases under discussion, the board would surely bo overstepping tho mark if it refused to grant the furniture loan to the men, because it thought they should not get married. If the hoard is satisfied with tho character and honesty of the men, applying for the loan, it should nob draw “ a red herring across the scent,” . by setting itself up as a tribunal competent to judge whether the soldiers should be permitted to marry or not. There is plenty of other useful business for tho members of the board to do, without interfering too much in the . domestic affairs of soldiers. In reference to tho furniture loan, it may also be remarked that the money is simply lent as a loan, and the Government always makes sure of getting • pretty good security over tho goods purchased. If the money was a gift it might he a different matter. Tire, general election is coming on shortly, and already several returned soldiers are announced as candidates. Several should have good prospects of . success. It is fitting that this should ho the case, for although these men ■ would probably stand no chance of election if they stood as official Returned Soldiers’ Association candidates,■. their prospects are good because they have allied themselves to one or other of the political parties. They now seek the franchise of the electors, not as returned soldiers but as civilians, and , the experience of life on active sendee should be, of benefit to themselves and the country also if they are returned to Parliament. The Canterbury Repatriation Board describes the thanks of the community for the' satisfactory manner in which it has coped with the problem of finding employment for returned soldiers during the winter months. In addi- ' tion to the ordinary difficulties of obtaining employment for large numbers of men during the winter, its task was made harder owing to the railway “ cut.” Fortunately the winter is now over and the railway sendees are back to normal, so there is little probability of any further difficulty in regard to .unemployment, for tho present at anyrate. The position in Christchurch can now bp regarded with the utmost satisfaction, for the number of men being found employment’is greater than the ■ „ .number of new applications received. Work on the now Soldiers’ Club building in Gloucester Street is proceeding very slowly, mainly owing to .the difficulty of procuring materials At one time it was hoped that the rmiidiug would bo ready for occupy , tion about March, but this is not Jikefv to bo the case at the present rate o‘f {•regress. Mem while the members must ie content with their present congested club rooms, which are totally in adequate for. the large number of so f diers who visit them. Much of the success .which has attended the club lias been due to the excellent way ip which it has been managed, and narticularlv to the 'excellent, assistance given by the members-of the Women’s National Roeerve and' other lady friends of tho - club; It is proposed to hold a bisr ; soldiers picnic. at Christmas, and a . ''l sub-committee already has the arrangemoots in hand. ■ > —“DUGOUT,”