THE SOLDIER.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 January 1919, Page 3

THE SOLDIER.

PRIVILEGES UPON RETURN

A GOVERNMENT HAND-

BOOK.

From Wellington.] *^^|^3t Demobilisation Edition of the-Returned Soldiers' Handbook has been issued. The handbook has undergone a thorough pruning, which is to its advantage, as the returning Wdier has usually so much to o&upy his attention, so many personal interests, that he endeavours to dispose as speedily as possible of anything savouring of red tape." The Defence Department are evidently cognisant of this little weakness, which qjten leads the soldier to neglect his own interests, for they have issued simulaneously with the handbook a six-page summary to be given to every returning soldier while on the ship.

For the benefit of the soldiers' relatives, who are almost as interested in his privileges as the soldier himself, we give a brief outline, quoting from the Handbook, which sets everything out fully, and which will be a valuable guide to patriotic societies and other organisations concerned with the men's welfare.

-Before disembarking, the soldier obtains an advance of pay amounting, to £5, if available, though if he is sent direct to hospital the advance is£l.

Except those who have been returned, for punishment or who contracted disease through their own action, returning soldiers receive before discharge a warrant entitling them to free railway travelling for a period of 28 days, This must be used within three months, following the dare of the commencement of the 28 days' leave on full pay which they receive on disembarkation, , prior to discharge. Invalided soldiers obtain this privilege when their treatment is completed. Prior to discharge, the soldier must travel in uniform but if he uses the pass after discharge, when he wears mufti, he. must carry his discharge certificate, to prove bona fides. While travelling on the pass, the soldier is entitled to free meals where trains stop for that purpose. The New Zealand Steamship Companies have generously joined with the Government in this concession to the extent of granting the returned soldier return tickets for fare. The companies which grant this privilege are the Union Steamship 'Company, Huddart Parker Ltd., Northern Steamship Co,, Richardson and Co,, Anchor Shipping Co., and Wairua Steamship Co.

In cases where the soldier has to receive medical treatment prior to discharge, the Medical Board on the ship will grant one week's sick leave before the treatment , commences, if it is possible to do so without injury to the soldier's *"^ health, enabling him to visit his relatives. There are cases in which the sick leave privilege *• cannot be extended. Then the - wife and parents are given free r railway passes to the town in which the hospital is situated. 5 Application for those passes must be made to the Base Becords. "Where there is no wife or parent, one warrant will be issued to the next of kin. Though full pay goes on while the soldier is in hospital, the soldier will only receive, by fortnightly warrants, 1/6 per day, though allotments go on as usual. The balance is paid him as soon as he leaves the hospital. The provisions regarding discharge are best given in full as they appear in the Handbook: — (a) If medical treatment is not •$&• required the soldier will receive %8 days' privilege leave and be discharged. (b) The soldier returned invalided and requiring medical traaiment will not, unless otherwise determined b> the Commandant, be discharged from the 81 Expeditionary Force during such time as »he continues to require medical' treatment as an inpatient of a hospital or convalfMMin^ home. jfcft 'MJQfL.^ t-patients will be dis~ when a Medical Board considers that they are able to )£ undertake some civil employment £nd recommends discharge.