RETURN OF FURLOUGH MEN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 4

RETURN OF FURLOUGH MEN

Soldiers’ Point Of View Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, October 15. The point of view of two members of the Second N.Z.E.F. on furlough from the Middle East regarding return to service was given by them to the executive of tiie Auckland Returned Services Association last night. As volunteers who left with the first echelon, they expressed their amazement at the inequality of sacrifice which they had observed since their return. “We have come back to see many fit, husky young men walking about town in and out of uniform, who have not seen active service,” said one of the servicemen. “That has a bad effect on the average soldier. Many of us consider that (lie Government, having decided that certain clas-ses of men are not Io return, should, seeing that we were volunteers in the first place, give us the option of volunteering again. It does not seem right virtually to conscript men who have been four years in the Army, including three years on aclive service. As it is, we are to return and see many of our mates left behind. “We consider that the war will last for another two years. If mon arc to remain overseas for six years (hey will not be fit for civilian life when they return."

The president. Mr. A. Postleivnite: Yes, six years, while others are sheltered in cssenfial industry on high pay. It means that a man who was 24 years when lie went overseas will be 30 when he comes back. He has to make i'll the sacrifice. The association has already contended that length of service should be a ground for appeal by furlough men. Mr. Postlewaite added Hint tiie association would not be satisfied till a special tribunal, 'composed of returned men, wns sot up lo hear furlough men’s appeals. Nor would it lie satisfied if men with four years’ service wore sent back while others —fit, single men—were living at imine in comfort and makinj; £lO and mora a week.