RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 144, 13 March 1919, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS

CHARGE MILITARY POLICE WITH PIN-PRICKING. By Teleerauh—Press Association. Dunodin, March 12. _ At a meeting of the ! ])unedin Returned Soldiers' Association recently, it was alleged 'that the military pclice had adopted a pin-pricking policy ten-aids returned soldiers. Cases were quoted alleging that returned, men had been arrested on triyial charges, receiving punishment out of proportion to the seriousness of the. offence. The-Association asked the Minister of Defence to give, a - month's notice to the policcnen concerned, and all other military policemen who are not returned soldiers. The association also asked for the reason of the transfer of a sergeant-major from Wellington to Christchurch, and from _ Christchurch (o Dunedin. The association has received 0. _ reply from Major Oslmrne-Lilly, Director of Personal Service, stating thai the provost-marshal has inquired into' the position, and- he hoped as a consequence tiiat matters would be placed on a more satisfactory footing. Preference is given returned soldiers, but they do not offer themselves for employment in these duties. Whenever they <}o, if their records are clean, positions are found for them. The matter of the sergeant-major's transfer was between the sergeant-maior and the Department. It was resolved to reply, stating teat no soldier should be employed unless his previous record was clean, but requests an assurance that records of civilians entering the force rn-e Inquired into as carefully as thoso of returned soldiers.