THE WOUNDED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2482, 8 June 1915, Page 6

THE WOUNDED

4 STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. "The position in regard to woundeA fsew Zealanders at the front," said the Hon. James Allen yesterday, "is that if the men are likely to recover in time to be wanted in Gallipoli again, they (5° to Malta or Egypt. If they can't be dealt with tbero they are sent to England. The only men who are sent to England are tnose who eventually go back to the front." Those who would not be fit to return, added tha Minister, when they become convalescent were to be brought back to New Zealand. The Government had had no definite information yet as to when they would be able to be sent back. When the men get here, if the arrangements with osisting hospitals were insufficient, the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, into whoso cliarge this matter had been given, would select places from those under offer and equip them for the care oftho wounded. Every arrangement ihad been made by the Public Health Department and' Mr. Rhodes, in regard to existing hospitals, and there was a good deal of room available at these institutions. They were obviously the best places to wliicli to send the men; they were more convenient and comfortable and the cost would be less. The public,, added the Minister, must not think that the men were coming back to go into hospitals in any large numbers. They would go to their homes) if sufficiently recovered. For instance, a wife of a wounded man had already written to ask that ber, husband be able to go heme so that she could nurse him; and it was obviously the kindest and best thing to do to allow the men to go to their homes an<i be cared lor.