SORRY TO LEAVE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1929, Page 6

SORRY TO LEAVE

WIEBADEN, June 16.

The British on the Rhine, which are still “On Active Service,” will. be niqre yiffecied, by the result of tho'’ discussions regarding the evacuation of the Rhineland than will tin! .general run of their countrymen. Agreement will mean for them moves to other stations, perhaps other climes. Under the term of' the Treaty of Peace, Germany has to provide for the occupying forces in a way which comes as a pleasant surprise to any married soldier posted to the Rhine. He finds splendidly-equipped quarters for himself and family; electric lighting and gas, briquettes, rations, furniture, cutlery, linen, glassware—in fact, everything. Married men and their wives are not looking forward to the less luxurious quarters at home. Dutiable articles are imported into Germany duty free for the armies of occupation, and the single “Tommy” has also learned that living in Rhineland is cheaper than at home. Beer costs 3d. a pint; whisky, popular brands, ss. Bd. a bottle; tea 2s; a pound; and well -known brands of cigarettes cost only 7d. for 20. These are but a few of me items.

Tasked a corporal to-day'if lie would be glad to leave the Rhineland. His answer was, “Not me. I’ts. easily thebest station I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been in a few, and the wife’s never been happier.”

The German lias come to look on Thomas Atkins in. a way lie.,, never, dreamed was possible, and the years of the occupation—more than ten. to be precise—have done more good than lias vet been realised.