THE SAMOAN GARRISON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2669, 15 January 1916, Page 13

THE SAMOAN GARRISON

A GRIEVANCE STATED. Writing under date of November 23, 1915, to n friend in Wellington, an unmarried member of the garrison stationed at Samoa, states : — • • "fThere is a grievance anions the meii of the garrison here. 1 will state my own case, which is typical of many others. I informed the sergeant-major at Dunedin when enrolling that I wished to sign oil for nine months. I was informed that the term of service would be arranged at Trenthaui. The. papers signed at Trentham when we were being sworn in were rather ambiguous, but Major Cockroft told the men at tho first parade that all would have the option of returning to New Zealand at the end of nine months, which term was up in October. Humour went round recently that instructions had come from New Zealand that men wishing to return to the Dominion were to be seui back, and I understand. that some ; of the units were told that sucli instructions had been received; but only some of the units got the' information direct from their officers. The men of tho wireless detachment were called out individually. I was asked by the officer how long I had signed on for, and did I want to return and why. I gave among other reasons that I wished to go to the front, and my reasons were noted. No mention was made of any instructions to send those back to New Zealand who wished to go. I have not been informed if my. reasons were sufficient, nor has anyone else been told if their reasons were sufficient —at least, nono that I have come in contact with. The last three boats took a number of men Homo medically, unlit, and some as guards in charge of German prisoners. Many of us left behind here have a feeling that tho authorities in New Zea'and do not know the sentiments of the men in regard to being kept here indefinitely. I applied for a transfer to the N.Z.E.F. for tho front in May last, and was informed by my platoon officer that any man wishing to go to tho front would liavo to pay his own passago to New Zealand and t-ako his chance of getting accepted -at Trentham, f I apsevcrai - times subsequently, ! and in September was told indirectly that probably an opportunity, would occur later. There aro a number of single men here from 40 to 45 ' years of age who are anxious to go to the front; and married men also. Others wish to return to New Zealand for family or business reasons. Personally, I think I have done my-bit in Samoa, and am willing, after a few -weeks' furlough in New Zealand, to serve at the front'-for the rest of, the war. • t "There is another point I might mention. A number of ex-members of the S.R.F. are now liolding staff positions at Trentham. One who left here a corporal is now a sergeant-major. There are plenty of men. here who have played the game throughout who have no chance of promotion in Samoa." ~ [This complaint was referred to the Defence Minister yesterday, and Mr. Allen made the following statement concerning it: "There was, I believe, some misunderstanding about the period for which these Samoan Relief men signed on, but the bulk of them knew perfectly well _ that they were signing on for the period of the war, as in fact • they were. We have not held them to that bargain strictly, however, and those who have wanted to go to the front have been gradually cominff hack, being relieved by other men. If men there want- to come back to go to the front, I know of no reason why they should not come back, but they must apply through their own officers. I can't interfere from here."]