LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2805, 24 June 1916, Page 7

LAND FOR SOLDIERS.

Sir,—l was very pleased to note that the motion tal>!e<l by LMr. J. J. Dougall, of Christchurch, hnd the support of the nar lielief Advisory board at its meeting yesterday, anil a recommendation to bo sent to the Government "that the •band ior fciattlemeiit Act be so'.ame»ded as to include soldiers who have been, ov may be, incapacitated "while in qnnip or discharged owiii" to illness." This is a, step in the right direction, as it is only' fair and ju.st that men who have ffiveii their services and reaped the reward of illness or accident should be given a chance whereby they can . make their home on tho if their desires are in that direotion. X have personal knowledge of many cases where men have gone into our camps completely sound, and through doing their duty have ruined thier health lor tho rest of their lives, llicso tiaen are worthy of tho best the country can give, because men who have given practically their all, for next to life comes health, deserve well of their country. And many of these men have made groat sacrifices in leaving their positions, farihs, and in lots of cases wives and children, to try to do their duty. One special case I may mention by way of illustration is tliat of a man who enlisted many months ago. He left his home, but although in an outlandish place, a* scattered district, his wile nas remained, living there with her boy, nine years of age, as her companion, and taught him, to save the expenses incidental to his education. The husband contracted pneumonia, which has completely ruined his health, and has occasionally to; apply for a. few days' sick leave to recuperate. Ho still keeps to duty when able, having been placed on the permanent staff. This man, and cases like these, deserve everything, the country has to offer, and I sincerely hope this recommendation of the War Belief Advisory Board will be given effect to by the Government of New Zealand.—l am, etc., ' ' FAIRPLAY.'