SOUTH ISLAND SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1918, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND SOLDIERS.

QUESTION OP EASTER LEAVE. Dunedln, March 13.

Dr. Thaeker, MP., sent the following telegram to Sir James Allen respecting Easter leave: "Your reply most nnsatis" factory; you are merely sidetracking the main issue, giving preference to civilian Easter traffic instead of soldiers; yon are forcing throo or four thousand relatives to go to Wellington at a cost of £lO to £ls each. One trip in the Maori is all that is necessary, which the Union Company could give free as a mere bagatelle discount on its war profits. Please try again to let men away on the Wednesday before Good Friday.' 1

Recently Dr. Thaeker, M.P. for Christchurch East, sent the following telem-am to the Minister of Defence, in regard to Easter leave to men in camp: "Js it definitely decided tluit South Island men will not go homo for Easter leave'.' Are you again going to force South Island friends, dependents, wives and relatives to go to Wellington and see these men for the last time, perhaps, and to further overcrowd Wellington, which has not the accommodation V Please reply urgently, as if your answer is in the'negative' I must appeal to the Prime Minister and Cabinet for our just rights." The Minister's reply was evidently unsatisfactory.