RIOT AT SLING CAMP.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15815, 13 May 1919, Page 7

RIOT AT SLING CAMP.

TROOPS WRECK QUARTERS., ESTIMATED DAMAGE .£IO,OOO. REPATRIATION DELAYS. MEN BECOME IMPATIENT, LONDON, March 27. Rioting on the part of members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force occurred at Sling Camp a few days ago, during which a great deal of damage was done. When the first ships were placed at the disposal of the force for demobilisation there was not a little difficulty in tilling them. It was the policy of the demobilisation scheme to send first the men who had been longest away from home, and this was put into practice as far as possible. Some difficulty was experienced, however, in filling , the earlier boats with long-service men. These had not all been concentrated in England to begin with, and some of those who were here were anxious to enjoy a little more life and see more of the country before returning home. Consequently, vacancies were often filled up with men of later classification rather than allow the transports to go out empty. This was no grievance io th- Ic.-ur-ter vice men. On the contrary, it wc.s generally a satisfaction to them to remain a little longer here. But the position was unite changed when, owing to '.trikes in England, it was found impossible lor some weeks on end to despatch any of the vessels whicn were allotted to New Zealand; Befoje the strikes were over there was such a considerable concentration of men here that one or two new camps had to be opened to accommodate them, and Ibng .before the despatch of ships could be resumed the men in camp were becoming more impatient. Most of them had already had their leave and did not command any great reserve of money to go again on indefinite le&ve. They also, chafed a good deal at the routine exercises, which were necessary so long as they were kept in camp, and there was a considerable amount of dissatisfaction, moreover, at the educational scheme being applied, a a the men thought, ip a compulsory form. Another off the grievances, which was soon expressed, was the injustice of married men being given priority of embarkation over long-service men. There had been a great number of marriages lately, and, as a matter of convenience, it had been desired to set the married cou].les out of the country at the earliest possible moment. In practice, this meant that quite a number of men who had only recently come overseas, by contracting marriages in England, were at once put at the head of the list for repatriation. Die concentration depot at Torquay has been filled for some time with married coupies, and long-service men waiting in camps felt very much aggrieved that they should have to give place to them.

DISCONTENT COMES TO A HEAD. The discontent broke out when two ships—the Kia Ora and the Northumberland—were about to sail from Liverpool. Drafts had already been designated at Brocton to fill these ships, and the men were ready to entrain when the discontent at SI mg broke out. Rioting continued there for some hours, in the course of which damage estimated at about df1.0,000 was done to the hutments, institutes and stores. At one stage the bulk stores were broken into and spirits which were seized bv the men increased the violence of the rjot, during which the officers’ quarters were sacked. Every effort was made by BrigadierGeneral A. E. Stewart to calm the disturbance at an early stage, but the authority of the officers, owing to the circumstances; was temporarily in abeyance. General Stewart told the men that most of the grievances which they had alleged were already being dealt with by the authorities, and advised them to send a small deputation to lay their case before the general officer commanding, Brigadier-General C. W. Melvill, in London. Next day order was completely restored and the camp routine went on as before, except that certain of the more irksome duties were abandoned.

MONOTONY OF CAMP LIFE. There is a good deal of sympathy with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force over the occurrence. The men having been away from home for so long were naturally disappointed at being kept in camp week by week when 11m fighting was oyer. Camp conditions at any time are unpleasant, but since the war ended life at Sling has been robbed of the one interest that jpnde it bearable during the fighting. The whole trouble is due, of course, to the strikes which have held up shipping. If the demobilisation scheme had not been interrupted, all these camps would have been steadily emptied, and even the men who were last on the rota would have felt lees impatient. Moreover, the conditions surrounding the camp are not too pleasant at any time, and the inclement weather they are very dreary. Salisbury is the only centre of any size near, and the interests there ire r.* t too msiitr The new camp Sutton CofilfijM i.< highly spoken of by th sc who are fortunate to be there, while there are numerous important and interesting centres within easv reach, so that the men have not time to feel dull.