STAFF SERGEANTS-MAJOR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2689, 8 February 1916, Page 8

STAFF SERGEANTS-MAJOR

QUARTERS AT FEATHERSTON SHORTLY TO BE IMPROVED Some of the staff sergeants-major at Feat'liorstoii Military Camp aro not satisfied wit'li their now quarters, and with, the messing arrangements made for tlicni. At present there are 14 of these staff n.c.o.'s in the camp, and they aro quartered in a half-hutment, similar to those used by the privates. Over the doorway is a si«n which reads: "No. 3, Men." Sincn occupying it, the scrceants-major have painted a sijin for themselves aud fixed it on the door, indicating _ that they arc the staff ser-deants-major. This stop was necessary to avoid having free and easy visits paid them by soldiers from the adjoining hutments. At meals the serceantsmajor sit at a table with the headquarters office staff, in a dinine-hall which is also used by privates, and here again the senior men, claim that they ought to have a separate mess-room. No Provision Made. ''What wo complain of," a staff ser-geant-major said, "is that no provision was made for our quarters when the now camp whs designed and built. We are nearly all men who are experienced in soldiering, who left good billets to enlist, and have been asked to stay as instructors, instead of going to the front with the .Reinforcements, in order that our knowledge and experience may bo used to the best .advantage m instructing the new drafts of officers and n.o.c.'s. Personally, 1 was all ready to leave with one of the early Kcinforcoments, but was asked to stay. But 1 certainly object to this accommodation. We deserve to bo treated at least as well as the secondlieutenants, every one of whom we have trained. Instead of that, wfe are given exactly the same sleeping quarters as the men, and have to take our meals with the privates. AVe do not wish to appear as grumblers, but it is a i.i" question, and we mean io strive for sc.me redress." It was suggested that in. all probability the present arrangements were only temporary, , and that the accommodation desired would be built. Perhaps, ' agreed the sergeant(major, "but we notice that large additions are being made to the officers' mess, while we still remain as wo were. 1 assure you we are very sore indeed about this and other matters," ' About Uniforms. Ono of these other matters referred to was that of uniforms. Many of the Ktalf sergeants-major who havo remainfid as instructors are only on the temporary list, their total emolument being lps. lid. a day. Permanent n.c.o.'s oi this rank are allowed £5 for uniform and further .sums of £2 10s. for the same purpose every six months. But tho temporary staff sergeants-major have to buy their own uniforms. "While every second lieutenant gets a cheque for £20 for his outfit and growls that it isn't enough," said one of the n.c.o.'s. New Quarters Arranged. . These matters were brought to the notice of the Camp Commandant, Col' onel ■ N. P. Adams, who said tlia't thertaff sergeants-major would have nothing to complain of in the new quarters which were being arranged for them. In these there would be cubicles, some to hold ono man and some to hold two But the camp was by no means completed in nil details yet, and everything could not, be oxpected all at on'co under the circumstances. There would be a partition erected in No. 4 dining hall, which would give .the staff ser-geants-major a separate messroom. This partition was now boing put up. Jn the matter of the uniforms of temporary staff sergeants-major, the Commandant said that he was strongly in favour of their being placed on the same footing as their permanent comrades. The wear and tear on uniforms in the camps was severe, and the staff sergeants-major had to look smart. It was not fair to expect them to buy their own. He knew of instances where the allowance had been made to temporary men, and there was the same possibility ,of it being done again. Personally, he had tried to havo it made the rule that temporary staff sergeants-major should receive the allowance for uniforms.'