DUBIOUS METHODS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2509, 9 July 1915, Page 4

DUBIOUS METHODS

The incident connected with the visit of members of Parliament to tho Hospital Ship yesterday, in which Me. Payne and Dr. Thacker appear to have figured with somo prominence, is of importance only as indicating the very curious ideas held by the gentlemen mentioned-as to the duties they owe and the privileges they possess bv virtue-of their public positions. It seems that tho gentlemen in question were not content merely to inspcet the Hospital Ship and make inquiries and suggestions.. They—or rather Dr. ThackEr—appear to have gone the length of splitting open with a knife or scissors some of the hedding material, ostensibly with the object of ascertaining whether it was infected with harmful germs of any description. Mit. Payne, who accompanied him, seems to have shared this' iiroceduie to the extent of

sympathetic approval. It must bo obvious that even if it is conceded that tho only jiurposc theso gentlcmpn had in view was the welfare of the soldiers who might use the bedding their action was both objectionable and unnecessary, and if generally adopted would lead to wholesale destruction of the materials and goods on the Hospital "Ship. It was objectionable because they had no right to do, anything of the kind, ana it was unnecessary because if they merely desired to protect the men against suspected incompetence or neglect on tho part of the medical gentlemen oharged with the duty of securing the equipment of the Hospital Ship they could have made representations to His Excellency the Governor (who has mado the equipment of the ship his spegjal concern); or to Colonel Collins, who is in charge. They had rio more right to go prying about tho vessel with pocket-knife or a pair of scissors cutting open the bedding than they would have had to. force- open cupboards and lookers and sample the ship's supplies of drugs and medicines.