"BOARDING" SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1919, Page 6

"BOARDING" SOLDIERS.

OTHER COUNTRIES' ARRANGEMENTS. Wellington, March 14. Though some sections of the .public are inclined to become restive over the delay in' the disembarkation of our returned soldiers owing to the demobilisation procedure carried out on arrival, there is so much advantage to be gained by the soldier through the completion of this necessary process before he leaves the ship that in his own interests, the Defence authorities at this end have to be satisfied that the work is thoroughly done. To make the task easier on arrival complete printed instructions were sent to England, and a few experienced Base Records officials were placed at the disposal of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force authorities at Home for the purpose of training those who undertake the demobilisation process on the voyage. There has been a misunderstanding over the first ship on which the new scheme was tried, but the D?tenee authorities suggest that if the critical section of the public had to meet the fxpense and face the complaints which would arise through abandoning the pre-disembaTkation system, they would speedily be convinced that existing plans are on the right lines. Once the New Zealand soldier leaves t : transport he is free to look after his own personal affairs. He need not go near a defence office again except onee, when he returns his greatcoat, and receives the mufti allowance, and if it is more convenient he may manage this transaction through the post. Comparison with the methodß -of demobilisation adopted by other overseas British Dominions shows that, even under the conditions prevailing on the Port Melbourne, our men arc subject to leas delay and trouble than their comrades of the Australian and Canadian forces. Australians have to proceed to a demobilisation camp after disembarkation—they cannot go straight to their relatives from the ship—while the Canadian system involves the men in even more delay after disembarkation. The Canadian Soldiers' Handbook states that the troops must proceed from the ship to a clearing depot at Halifax, St. John or Quebec. "At these clearing depots," states the handbook, "all ranks not requiring immediate hospital treatment will be given furlough for two weeks to proceed to their homes, and will have prepared for them by the clearing depot staff the following: Furlough form, cheque for funds while on furlough, and transport warrant." When the men are despatched from the clearing depot they are informed that they must not leave the train except at the point at whieh their homes are situated.

At the end of his fortnight's furlough, the soldier hag to report to his nearest military district headquarters, and as there are only thirteen for the whole of that vast Dominion tile amount of travelling to he done by the soldier before he can complete his discharge can be imagined. New Zealanders, thanks to the system which is condemned by those who do not realise that the State's obligations to the soldier have to be promptly met, go from the transport with definite information as to the date of their discharge, money for temporary needs, travelling warrants for the enjoyment of their month's leave on full pay, and full information regarding their pension rights and the facilities to "aid them in rc-absorbtion into the community. The fit man, once clear of the ship, is clear of the army.