CANADIAN SOLDIER'S THANKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 353, 14 May 1928, Page 8

CANADIAN SOLDIER'S THANKS

Sir, — Allow me the pleasure of thanking you for the publicity of my letter in your paper. I feel assured that It has done good, even if not to me personally, then to others in similar distress through war service. I did not appeal through the medium of your paper with a view to any special favour on account of my war services, or for gain, as I have all through, life refused charity. My main object was to obtain work suitable to my health. The job of night watchman was offered me by the Labour Department before my letter was published, as I had appealed to it, and the department sent me a wire telling me to call. The work is not the job I expected, but I am going to give it a go. It all depends on my health, as the wet weather is my worst enemy, which is no good for my lungs. As you are aware, Mr. Sharp, of the E.S.A., has offered me relief from the Poppy Day funds, and through the R.S. Social Club, Otahuhu, which, with full appreciation of the offer, I have declined. Xam not out for notorietv hut for honest work. Ido not wish’ for any pension, as I am a Canadian and I think that the Xew Zealand soldier should be the country’s first consideration. I have carried on so far since I was discharged in 1919 without help from the Government, and with a permanent job I hope to

continue. There must be a niche for me in New Zealand somewhere, where I could carry on, but it requires a helping hand. lam still bitter against the so-called relief societies, who say they do all for the ex-service man—yes, if you have a disability or a pension. For a discharged army man they will do nothing only if it comes before the public. I know, because I was refused, first because I was a Canadian, and secondly because my discharge showed no disability, and I was not in receipt of a pension. So if my letter will do something in the near future to help others like myself I shall be satisfied. I thank all who have written to me in sympathy. R. G. DE BEAUMONT.