DEMOBILISATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1919, Page 2

DEMOBILISATION.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND SYSTEMS,

Wellington, Last Night.

Tlie publication of a booklet on the demobilisation of the Australian forces enables an interesting comparison to be made between the methods of New Zealand and the neighboring Commonwealth. There is a great deal o£ similarity between the systems, but in some important respects New Zealand offers its soldiers advantages over those afforded the Australians. For instance, there is no four weeks' free railway pass issued in Australia, where the soldier is simply given a free pass to his home. Our men get this, and may commence to use their privilege pass later. If an Australian wishes to go into an enlistment district other than that in which he enlisted, he is informed that he must expect delay in completing his pay. Under the centralised New Zealand system there is no necessity for delay through this cause. Supplementary pensions are paid in both countries, the Australian maximum being £3 17s per week, while the New Zealand maximum is £5. Tlie contrast is more notable in connection with the disembarkation procedure'. Australian soldiers are required to proceed from the ship to a depot for medical examination, and they are officially exhorted to be patient in connection with this inspection. New Zealand disposes of the whole matter on the ship, enabling the soldier—unless he requires medical treatment—to leave for home and not again go near a defence office. The same rates of sustenance are paid in both countries to soldiers who have failed to obtain a position after discharge, while Australia also pays a sustenance allowance of 3s per day during the leave prior to discharge, which in the case of 1914 men is a period of GO days, unless they have taken leave abroad. The other Australian soldiers get 1i days 5 leave for every sii! months' service, with a minimum of 14 days. New Zealand's system gives all soldiers 28 days' leave on full pay, irrespective of 14 days' leave abroad if railway and shipping facilities will permit. The Australian housing provision is for an advance up to £7OO at 6 per cent., including a sinking fund which pays off the loan in 37 years New Zealand has a system of advances up to £750 at 7 per cent., which pays off tlie loan in 25% years, or £ 1000 if I it is necessary to buy a site and house.