MINISTER'S DENIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 10 August 1946, Page 5

MINISTER'S DENIAL

— Press Associatior

TREATMENT OF TOMMIES IN NEW ZEALAND ,

By Telegravh

W 11UX, iVHgUST A denial that New Zealand troopwero given railway passes free nf cos' when they visiled Britain as stated yes terdav in a report from Auckland coin plaining about the treatnient meted ou' to niouibers of the British Army staf" "from the Chitral who are 011 leave ii the Dominion, was given by the Minis ter of Defence, -Mr. E. .Tones, tonight he said it was not correct that nieniberof the New Zealand forces visitiiv United Kingdom had beenF provide:1 with free railway travel by the Britisl authorities. Railway passes grante-1 New Zealand troops who went to Brit ain from Italy and to members of tlu Victory eontingent during their leave ir United Kingdom, had been paid for bv the New Zealand Governnient. Mr .Tones added that the 18 British soldiers from the Chitral were. allowed to sinai military establishments free o" charge when visiting places where thes-' were located and they were also givc the beneflt of the reduced railwav fare tlmt applied-to our own personnel. Ar rangements were also made for privatc hospitality in towns tliev visited. A re pori received by the Minister state;1 arrangements were made to make tio' stav of the men as pleasaiU as nossiblc Recentlr two similar stnffs from tlu Arawa and Tawaroa each spent sir weeks in New Zealand and no com nlaints were received as to their having to pay reduced rail fares.