SOLDIERS LEAVE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 214, 29 May 1918, Page 4

SOLDIERS LEAVE

A PROTEST AT TRENTHAM. Many of the men of the Thirty-eighth Infantry Reinforcements took part in a ' demonstration at Trcntham Camp on Monday night in support of a request for additional leave. The proceedings were orderly. The men held a meeting, listened to some speeches. and sent a deputation to the Camp Adjutant, who ordered them to wait until to-day for a definite reply. The meeting dispersed after receiving the report of this deputation. The request for additional leave for the Thirty-eighth Reinforcements arises from the fact that this draft was given its long leave at Easter, somewhat earlier in the training period than is usual. The draft is now the senior in camp, and there are. reasons why extra leave cannot be given without interfering with training and oiher arrangements. Some of the men, on the other hand, urge Hint they have not had reasonable opportunity to settle business and domestic affairs.

It is pointed out in this • connection that' recruits ought to enter camp with their arrangements completed. No reservist can bo taken by surprise when tlio call comes to him at the present stage of the war. Second Division men are given twelve weeks' leave of absence between medical examination and mobilisation. This period of leave is given in order that the men may enter camp with their affairs settled, and the- "long leave" granted to men at a certain period of their training prior to <Vwturo from New Zealand is Intended to enable personal farewells to lie said. The tendenev of the future is .likely to be in the direction of decreased leave, since expert opinion inclines to the view that the training is not as intensive as it should be.