MY REGAINED LIRERTY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1919, Page 1

MY REGAINED LIRERTY

Having settled down again to civil life, I am struck with my lack of liberty—or perhaps I should say, the difference between the rules which were distasteful to me when in khaki and those which circumscribe me now.

Certainly, I may now stay out after 9.30 p.ni., without a pass signed by iny company officer, but I daren’t do so without first informing my wife; practically it comes to the same thing f

I do not have to rise at six in the morning to the sound of a bugle, but 1 have to obey the call of an alarm clock at 6.15, or "to breakfast hurriedly and sprint for my train. My superior officers in business do not require me to salute them or to stand rigidly to attention in their presence; but any insolence or neglect of duty on my part would be punished more heavily than by a few days’ C.B. I should be ‘sacked’ and lose my livelihood.

I have not entirely escaped “fatigues” as I find it impolite to “scrounge” out of household “details” allotted to me.

The last cigarette at night can no longer ho enjoyed in bed, and I rathei miss the pleasant half-liaur before “lights out” tvhen reclining or sitting up in our beds, we used to discuss the day’s happenings in camp and ldndred subjects.

ASST miss also the companionship and the constant succession of varied types of men, all interesting, with .whom 1 used to come in contact. What'- my wife calls my “social position” prevents me from enjoying the society of those types now, and also debars ms front many things which 1 did in the Army. Ccrtaintly I receive more money now —hut I have a great deal more to do with it. For one thing, the Government has ceased to help in the support of my family. I can no longer draw clothes from the “Quarter-bloke,” nrv food has to be paid for, and I have to pay rent, rates, and taxes. There are compensations, of coursehut I am unable now to “wrangle” the restrictions—(J. G. in London “Evening News.”).