MILITARY LEAVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 98, 31 August 1942, Page 5

MILITARY LEAVE

MORE CONSIDERATION NEEDED

PLEA WITH AUTHORITIES

What I cannot understand about the Militaty Authorities is the manner in which they grant week-end leave for men whose homes are at a distance, sjaid Mr J. Phelan, of the No. 1 Licensing Authority sitting in

Whakatane last Thursday,

Mr Phelan Avent on to say that the men Avere giA r en leave and informed that though they might, travel hundreds of miles, they had to be back in camp by midnight; on Sunday. That Avas alright for men whose homes Avere but a feAV miles from the camp but it was only natural that the man Avhose home Avas lin the province should likewise want to make the trip to see his folk —more so in fact.

The result was that the provin- ' cial soldier spent sometimes twothirds of the Aveek-end traA'elling and Avas then called, -upon to pay absurd taxi fares in order to be back by midnight. Why leave in those instances could not be extended to include the lirst reason- 1 - • able return service on Monday Avas •beyond him. If however it Avas im,perat.iAre to get the men in camp 'toy the hour set tlown why could not they be given accumulative leaA 7 e every fortnight, when at least they .could spend a day or two with their families.

Mr Phelan emphasised that, he •was looking at 'it from the transport point of view as every weekend now, men were rushing to all corners of the province in order to take the fullest advantage of their -meagre leave allowance. Most of this travelling could be cut down and co-ordinated if only the military would co-operate on a reasonable bas^s.i

This was a matter which Avould have to be considered sooner or later unless it was corrected by those :in authority for benzine and tyres were now definitely being conserved to the utmost.