Army Pay Inadequacy Common

Salient Reporter

"Mr. Chandler was quite right," said one military trainee of allegations that army pay was inadequate for students (see Salient 6).

"Army takes seven weeks of the holidays—and about the most you can save is £60," he agreed The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, spent seven weeks in camp over the last long vacation.

He agree that there are seven weeks when the students involved are on holiday ad not in camp.

"However, the dislocation involved in travel effectively wastes another week," he said.

He also pointed out that students would only be available to other employers for broken periods of about three weeks each.

"This is not what the employers want, at least in the highly paid jobs," he said.

As long ago as 1962 Salient drew this matter to the attention of our local MP, Mr. D. J. Riddiford.

"I cannot support the view that university students should be exempted from military training under the National Service Act 1961," he wrote in reply.

"The remedy for any real hardship is supplied by the provisions for the postponement of military service where a case can be made out for it.

"I am unconvinced that the Government should give financial aid to students undergoing fourteen week's military training. The pecuniary loss in such a short period would seldom be serious: in fact to judge from the C.M.T. scheme in operation until 1958 there will often be an actual financial gain.

"In conclusion, I think university students will find their mental horizons broadened and their knowledge of life deepened by their training in the armed services."