BASE HOSPITAL SUPPLIES.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2603, 27 October 1915, Page 6

BASE HOSPITAL SUPPLIES.

FURTHER COMPLAINTS. Sir,—Muoh as I dislike tho task, it appears to me my'dut-y to ask you 'a few questions on public matters. Firstly: Is it a fact that tho No. I N.Z. Stationary Hospital, now at Port Said, with Colonel M'Gavin in charge, left this port without proper equipment? And although promised a full supply from England on arrival, is it true that there was actually no supply of necessaries for many weeks, find then only a scanty one? Of course, it is well known that t'ho hospital had to set- up without mirses; that part of tho bungle is ancient history. One can imagine the strain placed on our doctors to meet tho inrush of two or three hundred patients at a time (at least) under tho circumstances. And then wo expeot doctors to go to the front to tend our sick boys. A line way truly to induco them to do their duty, and a most singular way the Government have cf showing their gratitude to those noble men. Secondly: Was this hospital overlooked when the ovcr-subscribed' 'equipment and money donations for tho Mahetio were apportioned amongst the various hospitals in Egypt, as wo were informed thov were intended to to, and if so, wliy? Thirdly: Do you not think, if the jstatement re equipment is correct (anc[

in face of Dr. Acland's answer to Red Cross inquiries and other letters to Wellington. and other centres, we cannot doubt it), that tho Governor and other authorities should see to it at onoo that this hospital is now supplied? Winter is noar, and it is scandalous and cruel to think that our self-sacrificing doctors and nurses should be faced with a shortness of necessaries for the hospital, and also, I am told, for their own use, during the trying time before tliem. If tlioy are to be kept fit, they must be better treated, and while tliero is scarcity in the institution the poor wouuded men always are first in the minds of doctors, and, of course, received tho best treatment possible, oven if the doctors and nurses themselves endure all sorts of privations. I know the straits they aro put to aro incredible, and it is a disgrace to us to live at peaco and in comfort, and not make soino effort to better their condition. They aro actually in desperate need of supplies, and if the Government will not attend to the matter then soincono having authority should at once do so.

There is just another question I'd like to ask if vou will permit' me space to do so, and it is this: Can it possibly be true that there are stacks of cases awaiting shipment to Egypt, that no effort is made to ship them, and that the people's money, very ill-spared too at times, is thus bein» wasted? I cannot credit this statement, but would liko to hear it denied on authority. There is not enough open expression of opinion on these matters it seems to me. Heads of Departments may lie able men, but cannot be super-human, and if thoso interested in certain hospitals and other matters were to speak up occasionally somo good might accrue. If the reports "with regard to the 1 capital I mention, and in respact of'tho alleged laxity to forwarding cf goods' are found to bo correct, then the people of New Zealand are indeed justified in being as I am, INDIGNANT. ■Wellington, October 7, 1915. [The complaints put forward by our correspondent are not new, and some at least of the shortcomings mentioned have .been remedied. Still, there appears to be room for improvement, especially in the matter of medical supplies and nursing assistance, and Ministers should spare no effort to ascertain the exact position -and see that every requirement is met.] THE VALOROUS MR. H. C. HILL. Sir, —T7o doubt- Mr. Atkinson will Seal effectively with Mr. EL G. Hill if he thinks the tatter's letter worth Bothering about. Mr. Hill informs us that ho has honoured some of the returned soldiers, and that he had been m<Jved to introspection, and afterwards to reflection, upon tho incongruities ho thereby discovered. Next fime he undertakes the beneficial roll of chauffeur to soldiers let him seek a more reliable source of enlightenment than his confused meditations. To encourage him I will give an epitome of a conversation round the teapot after a motor, i drive. A young Scotch soldier, who accompanied the New Zealauders from Egypt mentioned that he had two brothers prisoners in Germany. They had been posted as missing, but the German authorities caused word to be sent to their friends, and afterwards small suras of money and delicacies had been sent to them, which they- received regularly. He himself sent- a parcel from Egypt, and his brother acknowledged receipt. He added that they were treated quite well. He also said that a large number of the German professional soldiers and officers were brutal, but he believed most of the fighting Gormans were quite decent. He and others stated that- in Egypt German women were most kind, attentive, and constant visitors to the wounded in tho hospitals in Egypt, not differentiating because of nationalities in their distribution of comforts. The conduct of tho shooting party at the regretted execution of Nurse Cavell showed that nearly tho whole of them ' would not do the horrid work consigned to them. The conversation turned to local German residents. Another soldier said I don't believe in giving them billets when our own fellows want them. Another replied: "Look here, now. If this place had been German, a'ucl you had come hero and settled down, and war broke out, and you choose to remain hero because you preferred German rale, wouldn't you think it .rotten if they mado a difference between yon and themselves?" "Perhaps I would," said tho other, "but I prefer my own people." Ano'iior said: '•That's alright; but you would treat them properly, and keep faith with them." T9 this there was general assent. Now, this showed the right spirit—the one wo expect from brave lads who take on what is necessary, and don't act stay-at-homes, and liko the stay-at-home torturers of prisoners of Red Indian type, and talk to others about fighting, and reserve their valour for helpless citizens, who are regarded as subjects of the enemy—who can be fought without self-sacrifice.—l am, etC ' 5 ANTI-HATE.