AWARDS TO OUR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 161, 2 April 1919, Page 8

AWARDS TO OUR SOLDIERS

Sir,—After reading in This Dominion of the reception recently given to the Main Body men on their return from fl:o. war, T could not get over tho fact that the' Government have given them r>n credit for their deeds except in tho form of speeches, etc Now at the time when medals will be struck for the different campaigns "ftrely it. is the time to remedy mailers. I understand that any 'nan wlvi went to Samoa before the ?nd of 1915 is entitled to the same nioclnl as a man who sweltered on the Peninsula for th» eklit months of occupation. Every man there was within range of a nlk and few indeed wore not sick, so surely a. bar to the 1915 Star wouldi not be. amiss? If that were impracticable, such men could be given an extra grant when tho service pay scheme comes intoi toice. There are not many of them left who sa.vthat iob through, and the money could cnsilv be found in the different funds which are not needed now the «nr is won. . T , ~ T would be grateful if you could permit space in your valuable paper for this to appear, for I would like to Uvo the opinions of some of your Teaders.I am, etc., PAIRN m fpervice at Samoa does not entitle a soldier to receive the IDH-15 Star unless Hi., man took part in the operations ni Ail"ust 29, 19U. In other words the man must have been a member of .ho Snmoan Main Body. The Imperial authorities decided that it was not desirabio to give a special medal or oar_ tor service on Gallipot! - without giving similar recognition to men who were ligntin» in various other spheres of operations at the same time. The 1911-o Star covers service in all recognised theatres.]