Soldiers’ Gratuities

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 236, 3 July 1944, Page 4

Soldiers’ Gratuities

Sir, —I have read the report appearing, in “The Dominion” yesterday of an R.S.A. function at which the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., spoke. According, to the report, Mr. Ferry stated that he was "hooted off the platform... when he spoke against a proposal to march on Parliament grounds.” In justice to many of my comrades of the Ist N.Z.E.F., many of whom have since “crossed the Great Divide.” I desire to state what took place. The meeting of the Wellington R.fi.A. referred to which decided to send a deputation to Parliament was held in the Town Hall, Wellington, on September 9, 1919. ~ rl The meeting was called to consider the question of soldiers’ gratuities. Prior to the meeting being held, the Government of the day had made a proposal that gratuities be paid on the basis of 4d. a day for all ranks and Bd. a day for captains and all ranks above. The executive of the R.S.A. suggested that 1/- a day be paid to all soldiers up to the rank of captain and that 2/- a day be paid to cantains and all above that rank. At the meeting I moved the following resolution : — , ’ ~. “That this meeting of returned soldiers of Wellington form itself into a deputation to interview, at 5.30 p.m. tomorrow, the Prime Minister, the. Leader of the Opposition and the members of both Houses of Parliament, with the mover and Mr. J. McKenzie.as spokesmen, with power to add to their number, to place before them the demand for £l5O by way of gratuities for each soldier for two years’ service out of New Zealand, such sum to be more or less according as the length of service is more or less than two years, every soldier to be put on equal footing without distinction as to rank. That resolution was seconded by the late Mr. J. McKenzie. 1 have a full report of that meeting, and it does not appear that Mr. Perry was present. If he were he remained silent. He certainly did not go on the platform. The newspaper report concludes: ‘‘Captain SievWright’s motion was then put and carried. amid enthusiasm." —I am, ete., A. B. SIEVWRIGHT. Wellington. June 30.