Page:Everywoman's World, Volume 7, Number 7.djvu/19

JULY 1917

HETHER Canada finally adopts conscription or not, she must realise that she owes a debt to the men in khaki and their dependents—a debt that must be paid in cold, hard cash, or its equivalent. In a short war the voluntary system of recruiting could done effective work if sufficient pay were given the soldier. In a long War, and the great European conflict may last another year, conscription becomes necessary to cope with the situation as it augments itself, and it becomes even more necessary that the dependents of those at the Front should be given a decent living while the bread-earner is serving the State. It becomes even more incumbent on the Government to protect those dependents when, by the scourge of war, their men folk are taken permanently from them in the death-sweep of battle.

"How are we doing our duty by those who have given their all?" is the biggest question facing Canadians to-day. There are other questions of large economic value—food regulation, munitions, conscription of man-power and wealth, and pressing constitutional problems, yet the only way to keep alive a real flaming spirit of patriotism is to show our fighting men that they can serve the State with the assured knowledge that the State will protect their families. If Canada is to put forth her utmost strength, this must be done. Patriotism, after all, begins at home. The average Canadian of ordinary ethics loves his family, and his first duty is to see that they are amply protected and provided for; from no sense of slacking he will wait, and wait a long time, before he crosses the ocean to fight his country's battles, if he must leave that family unprotected.

The situation as it confronts the returned soldier to-day is the only way by which the man-in-the-street can judge of the treatment which may be meted out to him should he enlist, either voluntarily or under conscription.

It is a question whether the present rate of pay, $1.10 a day, is sufficient to cope with to-day's high cost of living. It is quite true that at the beginning of the war the rate was fair enough as conditions were then, but with the constant rise in the price of food and other commodities, it would seem that either the rate of pay, or the separation allowance should be increased.

The pension problem is another vital consideration. Here again the original problem has changed with changing conditions; but yet the remuneration for the sacrifice made is far too small to satisfy any fair-minded citizen, or to appeal to the man who, in fighting, risks limb and life. Those who have crossed the seas during the last three years in the cause of justice, liberty and freedom, did so of their own free will; many gave up regular incomes to fight a common foe. As voluntary citizen soldiers they deserve far better treatment than the conscript soldier of former days. The Government owes it to every man in the Overseas Army and to every man at home, to bring order out of the present pension muddle and to inaugurate an efficient and workable plan of compensation. So far as is possible, no man should be worse off, financially, because he gives his life and services to his country. We who enjoy comfort and security while they endure the hardship and chance of a terrible war should see to it that they receive, as a just right and not as a charity, a compensation worthy of their heroism and self-sacrifice. If needs be, Canada should not only welcome but invite extraordinary taxation that the men at the Front may be fittingly recompensed. By the same argument those who were depending on the man who does not return should be adequately cared for. The Canadian soldier, sleeping his last sleep in France or Belgium, or in the near east, would rest easier if he knew that his women and children are not only shielded from want, but enabled to live in some degree of comfort, and that provision is made whereby his children may receive an education and a start in life.

The pension problem is new to Canada and mistakes will occur, but fair play should be assured in the findings of the commissioners, and prompt settlement of all claims should be ordered. There has been time now for a fair plan to be worked out and put into operation.

Various Veterans’ Associations have recommended that a pension schedule on a basis of $100.00 a month for total disability should be instituted at once; this was months ago, but as yet no action has been taken.

The pension schedule as it is at present is woefully inadequate: For disability of over 80 per cent., the amount is $384.00 a year; for over 60 per cent. but under 80 per cent., the amount is $260.00 a year; for total deafness, the soldier receives $280.00, quit claim; for partial deafness of both ears, he receives a gratuity of $100.00. Pensions such as these give the soldier no chance to return to the position he occupied before the War.

Widows and orphans are even less adequately provided for, It is quite true that a non-partisan committee of the House of Commons is considering the whole question of pensions for revision, but Parliament should discuss the question so that the whole country may know exactly what is being done.

I have it on the best authority that the Pensions Board has notified all soldiers’ aid commissions and other organisations that "all information with regard to pensions will be, henceforth, considered confidential." This act on the part of the Pensions Board may have been brought about on the assumption that such information, if published, would discourage enlisting and spread discontent; but the best way to obviate complaints, is to make a thorough investigation as to how local boards are carrying out the duties entrusted to them. Secrecy in public affairs smacks too much of that overbearing Prussian bureaucracy which brought on this war with all its consequences. The remedy of any bad condition is not in the suppression of questionable methods, but in thorough investigation and free information regarding it and in a rapid and radical change of policy to something better. The policy of secrecy have been necessary in some departments in the initial stages of the War, but it is not only unnecessary now, but most unwise. People must know the worst if abuses are to be corrected, and if they are to put forth their best endeavours to carry the war to a successful end.

Secrecy of Army and Navy procedures cannot be successfully imposed; neither can it be excused or justified on any grounds whatsoever. Even without newspaper publicity information regarding outstanding cases spreads rapidly among friends of each man affected and this soon finds an outlet into the ranks of civilians and thus becomes common knowledge. It could not possibly be suppressed, even if all the periodicals in the Dominion should fall short of their required duty to the public. And in the instance of certain flagrant cases it would soon create an even greater public uproar than these have so far done, because word of mouth rumours are always magnified when popular imagination becomes inflamed.

Let us leave the pension problem for the time being, and turn our attention to the treatment which is accorded wounded soldiers when they finally arrive back in their respective home centres. It is quite true that the Government has spent a lot of money on buildings for looking after convalescents and those who have been incurably wounded, but from talks I have had with a number of these returned men I find there are still many complaints regarding the treatment accorded them.

Their first contention is that there is a daily delay in medical attendance which keeps them waiting sometimes for hours, and at a great inconvenience to themselves and family.

In the second place, they claim there is a general neglect of any attention to some patients when there is a "big crowd" in attendance to be looked after.

They claim, in the third place, that there is a lot of unnecessary red tape and officiousness in connection with wounded men which sometimes occasion worry, inconvenience, and undue exertion to those who are in a weak condition.

In the fourth place they claim there is a delay of from four to six weeks in forwarding accounts of men's pay from Ottawa.

In the fifth place there seems to be a lack of clear understanding among the men as to "where they are at"—what their standing and status really is.

They find in the sixth place, very unsuitable accommodation for amputation convalescents, and a tardy provision of artificial limbs for those who sorely need them.

In the seventh place they believe there is a "cold charity" spirit in handling men who have returned broken and unfit for further service, which contrasts a great deal with the spirit at present prevailing in Great Britain.

In the eighth place it is claimed that men are too readily separated from their families by sending them to convalescent homes in inaccessible places.

These findings have all been gained from interviews with army and navy veterans in (Continued on page 42)