SOLDIERS’ NEXT-OF-KIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1958, 29 March 1919, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ NEXT-OF-KIN.

Wellington, Tin's Day

Thousands of Now Zealanders are awaiting the welcome notification from Base Records that their soldier relative is on his way to New Zealand. Therefore they will be interested to know how the Defence Department deals with the next of kin of returning drafts. About fourteen days before a ship is duo to- arrive, Base Records sends nut. to the next-of-kin of each man aboard, a notification that cabled advice of the soldier's return has been received, that lie is on a boat named. and the probable date of arrival is mentioned. The recipient is advised to watch the newspapers for any alteration in the arrival date. It will lie seen from this that next-of-kin should carefully maintain at Base Records their correct address. The authorities do not object to noting even brief changed,from the usual address, so lung us I bey know that they cun reach the soldier’s relatives quickly with the notification.

As the soldier is sent to his home address as quickly as possible after disembarkation, his next-of-kin are advised to await him at home, and they will receive a telegram immediately the ship arrives, mentioning the lime at which I he soldier should roach home. When next-of-kin (ravel to the purl of disembarkation they often have to put: up will) the disappoint meal of not being able (0 (ravel back with their soldier relative, as the special trains must lie reserved for the soldiers. Though (he Defence Department docs not encourage next of kin to visit the port of disembarkation, they afford special facilities on the wharf for the soldier’s relalives. Next-of-kin passes are obtainable by bona fide next-of-kin at the Defence Headquarters of the district where the soldier will disembark, except in Ijic case of Wellington, where Ihe issue of these tickets is made from the more conveniently situated oflicc of Base Records, al the back of Boveminent Buildings. If an invalid soldier is suflicicnlly well to lie granted a week’s leave he is allowed to go home for licit period, and (hen report for treatment ai a hospital. Where this cannot be done, and the soldier has to go straight into hospital, his wife and parents are entitled, upon making application to Base Records, Wellington, to receive free return railway warrants to visit the patient in hospital. If the soldier has no wife or parent, one railway warrant is availagle to his next-of-kin. •