LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 198, 16 May 1919, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SEPARATION ALLOWANCES Sir,—ln your issue of Tuesday last, under tho beading of "Separation Allowances," the Defence Department set out the conditions of payment under which separation allowances will be made. It is a matter of disappointment that cases similar to that of mine are receiving such scant treatment at the hands of the Department. ■ ' Briefly, my case is this: I entered camp as a 'volunteer and a married man in February, 1916, and was classed fit A. On November 15, 1316, I was discharged as medically unlit after 282 days' service, and this state of health was admitted by army doctors to have been brought about by camp life. During the wliolo of thisperiod, i.e., 252 days, my wife received Is. per diem separation allowance; which, with my pay, brought l out combined ihcomo up to an average of ,£2 12s. weekly. To show the different treatment of a conscripted married man, I would qnoto this instance. A close friend of mine "joined up" in June, 1918, and his total weekly income amounted to no less tban X'G per week. Of course, lie enjbyed tho , privileges of the 3s. per diem separation allowance, together with a graut from the Financial • Assistance Board. I do think that the treatment of a volunteer* and a conscripted soldier sliould be the isamo.—l am, etc., . NOT-FAIR.