11 AUGUST 1917, Page 11

WOUND GRATUITIES. Its THE Emma or THE "SPECTATO.."1 gra,—My son,

who has been in hospital for the last year, has re- ceived wound gratuities amounting to .8230. Of that sum ever,' penny has been dissipated in harmless but trifling amusements. He is now shortly to be discharged and realizes, too late, to -what good use he could put that wound gratuity, if it still existed. 1 contend that the payment of these gratuities to young fellows in hospital, who have no expenses, and are receiving full pay, is a criminal waste of money. Let the amount be invested for them until the end of the war, or until their discharge from the Service.

They would be thankful themselves.—I am, Sir, &c., A. F. P.