RESERVISTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 6

RESERVISTS

(To .tie Editor.) me a 'space _ in your columns to deal with'reservists., We wish to thank the Hon'. J. Alien for his speech in reference to the Imperials, but as to laying stress on the'fact that New Zealanders are not to blame, well, I am in a position to say that New Zealanders are as much in the mud as we are in the mire. I am sorry to say this, as I was given to understand that the majority were teetotallers. Now I find that such is not tho case, as I can prove. I have been in 'town on more than one occasion; and I saw our men, also others, and there was no difference, so why place all the crime- on these men? Is-it not as much shame to see this in print in England as to see it against the New Zealanders ? We admit that there are complaints with foundation and we have complaints without foundation. I ask is this fair dealing to us? Had New Zealand dealt fairly with us from tho start there would not have been one /xmiplaint against us, as the men wero sent hero as good characters, otherwise they would not have had permission from the Home Government to reside in New Zealand; so they would have hold their reputation, as they did before the mobilisation. It is tho way we have been, treated that has upset the men, as we wero four weeks before we got any pay at all, and then Is. 9d. per day, and at tho same tinw wo wore expected to do tho same work, etc., as the men who wore getting 4s. per day. . ". . We realiso tho responsibility England has, and it is our duty to obey tho call, which vre arc glad to-be able to do, but we should have mobilised on a certain date and been sent right away home. That was tho Governmentjs.duty to us," and it was all wo wanted,'but to keep us hero without pay for four weeks and treat us as they did, well, you see the consequence. Complaints were put through tho right channels, but were ignored, instead of being inquired into, and justice given. Now I think that whoever put tho_ complaint in ought to be sure that it is true, as I eay it is certainly not true, and w« thank Mr. Allen for his spcecli for ua, and trust that fair play will be given to Imperials and New 'Zealanders as well.—l am, etc., I 'A RESERVIST. I H.JI.N.Z.T. Orari, October 2,1914. i