FURLOUGH FOR MIDDLE EAST SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23970, 10 June 1943, Page 6

FURLOUGH FOR MIDDLE EAST SOLDIERS

Sir,—lt is a relief to find that some of your correspondents are fighting for the men in Tunisia, who, for two exhausting years, have fought for us. Apart from the strain of actual fighting, they had to stand up to a climate which must, nevertheless, have taken a heavy toll of health. It is the responsibility of the New Zealand Government to see that these men receive a furlough which will enable them to rest and recuperate ’ in healthy surroundings. For two years the Bth Army has borne the brunt of Empire military operations and the N.Z.E.F. and a British armoured division are the only original remaining units of that army. —Yours, etc., NEVER FLOG A WILLING HORSE. June 8, 1943. Sir,—Certainly “Wake Up Mothers” should read about the sinking of the hospital ship, but why be a pessimist? I think the great majority of mothers and wives of long service soldiers are quite prepared to accept that risk, and would the soldiers themselves hesitate to undertake the sea journey to see their loved ones and enjoy a few months’ well-deserved furlough? “Wife of Soldier” is a wife of comparatively few years’ standing, and must lack the understanding of mothers of soldiers who have given 20 and more years of love and care to their sons. My support goes to "Another Soldier’s Wife" and I earnestly hope some organisation will result to fight for the obvious rights of our boys.—Yours, etc., WAKE UP MOTHERS. June 9, 1943. ["lnterested” may, if desired, briefly reply; otherwise this correspondence is closed.—Ed., “The Press.”]