DETENTION OF OUR SOLDIERS IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 201, 20 May 1919, Page 6

DETENTION OF OUR SOLDIERS IN EGYPT

Sir,—lt appears to mo tliat the Defence Minister's explanation as to why so many of our men are detained in Egypt is W>lh unsatisfactory and. unconvincing. Unsatisfactory, as it is certainly unjust to ask our men to do work they never'volunteered for, viz., the .suppression of a "domestic brawl." Unconvincing, because there is abundant evidence to show that callous mismanagiliient and indifference are the principal causes of the men's prolonged detention. Otherwise, why was tho Wiltshire allowed to leave Port Raid and proceed to New Zealand with only half her complement of men aboard? .Also, at a later date, why was the Australian Government allowed to appropriate two out of three steamers which were intended to convey our men home, consequently leaving approximately 2500 of our poor fellows to endure another summer in that vila climate? Also, why was tlio Devon allowed to return to New Zealand via Suez with only about a icore of our boys on "board?

Sir. I can chavactevlso the detention of our pool' boys in tliat abominable climate at this time of the yettr as being little short of criminal neglcct on the part of the military authorities as to the men's health and general welfare, and I am sure tlip Dsfenco Minister's explanation will entirely fail to satisfy either the parents and friends of the neglectcd men or the general public, and it 15 about tune pressure was br6ught to bear on the Government to remedy the scandalous treatment these men are receiving. Hoping some abler pen than mine will assist to ventilate this matter,-I am, etc., ONE OF MANY ANXIOUS I'AIiENI'S. Mastertop, May 15, 1919. • '