TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15789, 10 April 1919, Page 7

TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

ON RETURNING TRANSPORTS.DEFENCE MINISTER’S DENIAL OF ALLEGATIONS. A few meetings ago, the WanganuiWaitotara Patriotic Association passed a resolution condemning what was alleged at the meeting to lie improper treatment of soldiers returning to }iew Zealand. The Minister for Defence, Sir James Alien, has written to the committee asking for the source of its information for passing the resolution. Continuing, the Minister wrote:

Articles of this description are contrary to fact, and place the Defence Department in a false position before the public; and unless you can prove the statements that have been made, 1 claim that it is just that you should give a direct rebuttal with the same degree of publicity as you have given to the indictment. I have asked for a report, and have been supplied with the following: (]> Troops are never accommodated in the bottom holds of vessels; the accommodation of troops is always in the permanent third class aud in the “ ’tween-decks.” The “ Tween-deck” of a vessel is invariably on the main deck, with rows of portholes, and is seldom, if ever, below the water-fine. In addition to this, the dormitories are specially ventilated, and fitted for the accommodation of troops. (2) The statement that much accommodation is vacant in the passenger quarters reserved for officers is contrary to communications- received from the United Kingdom, repeated cables stating that there was insufficient officer accommodation, and asking for permission to despatch officers via Canada. While it is considered that there is ample accommodation for officers in the event of a surplus being available, the practice has always been to utilise such for sergeants or other ranks, with a view to distributing the troops as evenly as possible throughout the ship. (3 > There is no unnecessary restriction of diet; in fact, it is provided that the most liberal and varied possible scale be given. The shortage of food in the United Kingdom has at times made it necessary to restrict the rations below that specified for New Zealand troops, but this restriction, when-en-forced, was applicable to the crew, passengers, and troops, of all classes. Where food is available or obtainable en route, the Officer Commanding New Zealand troops on hoard has auohtrity if he considers the food inadequate, to order an augmentation, his specified duty in this respect being to ensure that food is good, varied, and plentiful. Incidentally, the reports from the last six vessels returning to the Dominion speak in the highest terms of the food supplied. (4) With regard to the statement that no church services are held’on some transports, this is absolutely contrary to fact, as chaplains, who have been on every vessel but two, would ensure that this was carried out. The routine orders of the two vessels where no chaplains were carried establishes the fact that church services were regularly held.