SOLDIERS AND LEAVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2815, 5 July 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS AND LEAVE

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

_A number of questions were asked in fiie House yesterday about the final leave of soldiers.

31 r. A. S. Malcolm eaid that he understood that a number of men who had gono on final leave lately had outstayed taeir leave, by three days, that these "men had suffered three days' detention, and lost three days' pay, and that they had been told that they would to required to pay ftll tlieir fares both ways on their journey while on leave. If this penalty were enforced the men would not get any more .pay in New Zealand, and Mr. Malcolm 'tisked the Minister whether, in view of this, the charge for fares might be remitted.

Mr. G. Witty said that ho knew of a party of men who had outstayed their loave because 'they had been hindered on their return journey by .v-'landslip on the railway. •

Tho Hon. J. Allen said that in a case where a man deliberately broke his leave he must suffer the consequences. If his delay in returning was due to sickness, or business, or accident, his case was considered, and if the reasons were sufficient the finca were remitted. Printed instructions were issued, and unit commanders were specially instructed to point cut to the men that if 'they overstayed their leave tlie.v must pay their fares. This tho unit commanders always did, and it was found essential in tho interests of discipline and good behaviour. Tho mombers of the Fifteenth Reinforcements to whom tho question referred were told must emphatically tl.at they would lose their concessions if tlicy overstayed their leave. If the cause of delay was sickness, a man was required to produce u medical certificate to show that he liad been ,unwell. If a man wasdelayed by business he was reoiiired 'to produce satisfactory written evidence. If tho evidence was satisfactory he was excused.

Mr. Witty: What about accident? Itr. Alien: Of course, if a man is delayed by accident this also is considered. This would apply to the case of men delayed by a slip on the line. ■Sir. Witty said that the men to whom lib had referred had had to suffer seven davs' C.B.

Mr. Colvin said that the men came from tho West Coast. A slin on 'the line stopped the train, ind they took a motor, car to Nelson. Tliey missed Ihe boat, however, and went on by motor t.ofPicton, only to miss the boat again. The slip was not even yet cleared from tho line. Mr. Allen said that inqnirv would be made into the case, and if it appeared that the men were delayed by a slip on the line they would get their pay refunded. , Mr. W. .T. Dickffl w.';od for ronsiderfc. tion on behalf of a. returned soldier, ordered to report at Trentliam for duty. The Department owed this man Fome .£3O or £35, and tho man, having no money, was unable to take advantage of the concession of fourteen days' free pass on the railways to see his friends. He asked that, now that the man had his money, he would be allowed it further term of leave. tor. Allen prwmaed to noniiilcr .the request. , IUV. Witty said that the premnt leave' arrangements were unfair to tho men living at a great distance, or in inaccessible places—say the Bay of Islands or the West Coast. Thews men could not spend more than a day or two with their families, and if an accident occurred they overstayed lenve. Ho suggested that longer leave sh«u!d be allowed to such men. Mr. Allen asked that, more particulars should be supplied, and be would have inquiries made. Mr. Webb pointed out a hardship nn, der which West Coast' men were placd. They were given free passes on the steamers, but owing to the irregularity of the service owing to the war the'v sometimes had io go via Christchurch and overland, paying their own faros. He urged that, the Government ought lo allow free passes for West Coast men by the east coast and overland route. Mr. Allen: So far as I know free railway passes are give'n from the east to thp Wesl; Coa.<;t. Mr. Webb: No. Mr. A Men: I understood thev wore. I will consider it.