OUR WOUNDED IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2492, 21 June 1915, Page 6

OUR WOUNDED IN EGYPT

ACCOMMODATION AND COMFORT REPLY TO LORD LIVERPOOL'S INQUIRY In vieit of tho fact that letters written in tho early days of May have reached the. Dominion reflecting somewhat 011 the hospital accommodation, etc., availablo for Now Zealand troops in Egypt, His Excellency the Governor, though having been informed that whatever deficiencies then existed had been rectified without delay by the authorities there, sent the following personal cablegram to Lieu ten a n t-G ojiera 1 Sir John Maxwell, K.C.8., General Officer Commanding the troops in Egypt, to which he received yesterday the subjoined reply,- which it is hoped will removo any -anxiety which may exist regarding the provisions made for the care of New Zealand's sick and wounded:— "Please inform me whether in your opinion there is sufficient hospital accommodation for New Zealand's sick and wounded in Egypt, as rumours have reached me that sick and wounded are being discharged, and have been returned to camp before being properly convalescent owing to want of hospital accommodation. "(Signed) LIVERPOOL." ! "There is absolutely no truth in the rumours which have reached you. We have ample accommodation in hospitals for New Zealand's sick and wounded. Tho Egyptian Army Hospital is entirely handed over to New Zealanders, and there are at the present moment many empty beds. The two New Zealand Stationary Hospitals sent by you to Egypt aro arriving shortly. Patients are not sent to convalescent camp until they no longer require hospital treatment. They remain in these camps until fit to go to the front. The so-called convalescent camps are wherever possible large airy buildings. "(Signed) MAXWELL." INQUIRY BY THE DEFENCE MINISTER. HOSPITAL COMMANDER'S REPLY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunoiiin, June 20. The Hon. Jos. Allen, Minister of Defence, is anxious to see that everything possible is being done for our wounded. In reply to a cablegram to the Officer Commanding the Base Hospitals in Egypt, the Minister has received the following:—"All hospital ships are met by Captain Greene or myself, or both, and each hospital is visited at least once weekly by Captain Greens, and frequently by New Zealand officers. Each man in the hospital ceives complete shaving equipment, writing materials, and tooth-brush. Cigarettes, tobacco, and fruit are distributed regularly. In addition, motor orderlies are sent through the hospitals daily, distributing mails and weekly papers, and taking orders for extras to the amount of 2s. or 3s. Weekly cablegrams are delivered by motors as soon as practicable, and replies are sent when required. ' 'The hospitals aro splendidly conducted. and tho staffs are efficient and 1 most attentive. The treatment of the New Zealanders is held up as an example, and is being copied. Local residents and Red Cross organisations are most helpful. I consider that everything possiblo is being done." PRISONERS IN TURKEY INFORMATION BEING PROCURED. With the desire to, if possible, alleviate the anxiety of those in this Dominion who have received notification that, relatives serving with the New Zealand Forces at the Dardanelles are reported as missing, the Governor sent the following cablegram to the Secretary of State for tho Colonies, from whom His Excellency yesterday recoived the subjoined reply:— "With reference to the question of prisoners of war in Turkey: Can you advise me whether any of those reported missiu" from tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force are prisoners of war, and the proper channel through which such information when available should be obtained? My Government would be glad to be informed as soon as possible of tho names of prisoners of war, their present condition, and place of internment. "(Signed) LIVERPOOL." "The Government of Turkey havo agreed to establish an Information Bureau, but its proceedings appear to be slow. The United States Ambassador in London has been asked to obtain -as early as possible through the United States Ambassador at Constantinople information as to the names of prisoners in custody of Turkish authorities. Particulars will be cabled as soon as received. L "(Signed) BONAR LAW."