OFFICERS KITS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2715, 9 March 1916, Page 4

OFFICERS KITS

The decision of the Government to mcieaso to £25 the allowance mado to officers for, the purchase of their kits is a somewhat belated recognition of the fact that the diim of £<>0 previously allowed was insufficient, but it is welcome enough. For months past efforts have been made to convince the Defence authorities that £20 was insufficient to fully equip commissioned officers, anil the injustice ot this condition of

things has been emphasised again and again. In the circumstances it is (he plain duty of the Government to placc all those officers who enlisted in the stages of the war on the same footing, so far as this extra allowance is concerned, as those who are now to reap the benefit of the change. It is perhaps a small thing, but it is a matter that has rankled a good deal with many officers not in affluent circumstances, and no further ground for grievance should be allowed to exist. Wo have had complaints brought, under our notice of delays in the payment of this allowance to officers. One young ladv wrote us yesterday, stating that she was to have been married to a young officer, but the inroads on his finances due to the purchase nf his kit and the failure of the Defence Department, to make a prompt refund had caused the postponement of the happy day. This may be an unusual case, but many of the young men who qualify for commissions are not overburdened with cash, and the complaints made about delays in payment of the kit allowance should not be permittee! to contimic. It is a. trifling enough tiling for the State to pay this allowance promptly, and it should bo clone in all cases.