"UNFORTUNATE TERRITORIALS."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1358, 8 February 1912, Page 6

"UNFORTUNATE TERRITORIALS."

Sir,—l happen lo be one of those youths who voluntarily complied with the law and enrolled in the Territorials, without being dragooned into the new blessing (riven us by the State. We saw advertised now uniforms, boots, and other requisites to be supplied us. "We hailed the boon with boyiilt delight; (his I own was a weakness—our youthful enthusiasm was at fault—as we now learn that going into camp, we must supply our own kit at our own expense. It includes blankets, drinking vessel, oil sheet, black boots which cost about 225. lid., but not tan boots, which many of us only wear or possess. This particular type, like the sealed fountains kept by Solomon for his own drinking, is. reserved for the privileged caste alone. Now many of us earn less than .£1 a week, and others have to pay their board out of a very small amount. What will bo the state of atl'airs when we have to procure a blanket which-will cost los., a pair of black boots especially for tins encampment, say 225. (id., oil sheet 55., knife, fork, spoon, etc., etc. ? I have read somewhere in history of the English billeting and quartering of soldiers, and the imposition of the system on householders in those early times, but under this system the picture is reversed, and the full privates are the victims under our democratic Administration. The experiment which is being tried on us youngsters is new, and all new experiments, like the beginning of steam navigation, are dangerous— tlie boiler may burst. This first rude essay of our political heads is at least too serious to be amusing. I do not think I am alone in my protest; the discontent is general. If such things as this were read in "Gulliver,"or any satirical fiction, they would be regarded as caricatures, but the author would bo ashamed of his satire, did he but know how somo of our statesmen surpass it. We hope the Minister far Justice, if such there be, will come to out assistance or exempt us in our financial distress.—l am, etc., A WIDOW'S MITE. l'almerston North, February 1. [The position with regard to uniform and camp equipment, for Territorials, as explained to a representative, of The Dominion' yesterday by a member of the General Staff at Hendquarteis, is (hat the uniform is supplied free, as also is the service water-bottlo and oil sheet. Each Territorial is expected to provide his own camp blankets, as was the case during the volunteer regime. With regard to the service boots, it is pointed out that the rough wear and tear of camp life, and marchiug, is severe on the ordinary e\eryday footwear, and the service boot which is being supplied at cost price—l2s. Gd. —is not only the best adapted for marching, being specially designed for this purpose, but also a good investment at the price—the retail figure would be 225. Gd.—as well as a desirable economy with respect. to r the .saving.in tho ordinary footwear. .'Vurlherp the service boot is expected to last tho Territorial throughout his period of training, so that tho real cost is comparatively trifling when spread over that period.!