LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
SOLDIERS' STOPPAGES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE"SPECTATOR."]
SIR,-I venture to suggest that you have missed the point of " Paymaster's " letter in the Spectator of .March 22nd. Every allowance is made to the soldier for fair wear and tear in the matter of barrack damages, barrack furniture, bedding, &c. It is only in cases of wilful destruction, making away with, or loss through neglect that he is called upon to make good the value to the public. The same pecuniary penalty is involved when medical attendance is necessary for avoidable causes. I think Dickens said somewhere that there is a deal of human nature in mankind. The soldier certainly has his full share of human nature both in its weakness and in its strength. These so-called "stoppages" are, therefore, self-inflicted. The remedy is self-control, not a free license to do as he likes with what does not belong to him, as might be inferred from your comment on " Paymaster's " letter.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ARMY SERVICE CORPS.
[It is, of course, a question of degree. If once the soldier is " all found and well found," then of course stoppages would only be fines for carelessness under another name. But we contend that he has not hitherto been "all found and well found," and that till he is stoppages are deductions from nominal pay, and should be abolished.—En. Spectator.]
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