PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10296, 3 June 1919, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

MARRIED SOLDIERS (To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir,—T wish to draw the attention of the jmblic, per medium of your paper, to the remarks made by our .actingPrime Minister re married soldiers who volunteered with the Main Body and earlier reinforcements. In effect Sir James Allen says tuat he is sorry that ho allowed any married men to go away with the Main Body and earlier reinforcements. I don't know whether Brr James has any sense or tact in connection with this matter, but I would like to point out one or two things in connection with these married men that perhaps tho average man in the street is apt to overlook.

If you will take your memory back to the days of August 'l4 you will remember one or two stirring items in the press re men joining lap to save the Empire. 'The Government urged everyone , with previous military experience to come; forward and help the, Empire. Now, sir. there were only men with previous military experience in the colony who had taken part in the South African war, and men who had left tho Imperial Army and came to find a home in the colonies, who could possibly answer this appeal. By glancing over tho records of the members of the Main Body and earlier reinforcements vou would bo astonished to ilnd how many men there were serving who had previous military experience both iti the colonial Forces in South Africa and also cx-Imperial soldiers. Now,., sir. these men never squealed re separation allowance, neither did they try, to handicap the Government in any way when they went away. Rather, they were the other way; they wanted to help in every way. -Now when the war is over and the Returned Soldiers' Association urge the Ministry to treat these men with tho same consideration ns the conscripts we find Sir James Allen, tho Defence Minister, who was responsible for the earlier appeals re men with previous military experience, expressing the opinion that he was sorry that any married men went away with the Main Body or earlier reinforcements. I don’t mind saying, sir, in passing an opinion re this Minister's attitude, that I ishould have been inclined to punch his head for insulting the married men' of the first crowd. Does the said Sir James Allen include in his indictment married officers? We will take just a few' to go on with: General (rodley, General Johnston, Colonel Braithwaite. These officers took their wives with them from New Zealand to Egypt. And I believe 90 per cent, of the staff officers wore married too. Now, does Sir Janies Allen mean to say that he would not have included these officers had ho known that' there would have been an ontcrv against married men ot the termination of hostilities? One mav also bo excused for mentioning that General Russell and General Richardson were both married when war broke out. In conclusion, I want to say that I was .married a good few year's ’before the war broke out, and have three kiddies too. but neither myself or wife have applied or received a penny- from any patriotic or Government institution, but we both object to Sir. James Allen trying ■iS , , fl % l ? u . r J«nnt efforts to win a jieace toat should be a credit to th© world. MAIN BODY MARRIED MAN.