INVALIDED SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2606, 30 October 1915, Page 3

INVALIDED SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND

t . STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER, ' (By TeleEraDh.—Prosr. Association.! Dunedin, October 29. Concerning tho cabled appeal for furthor assistance for tho 4600 invalided New Zealanders in England, tho Hon. James Allen (Defence Minister) says tho message is misleading. The actual position on September '27 shows tho total of the wounded was 4557,0f whom 2000," including tho Wiilochra contingent, have returned to tho Dominion, leaving the balance distributed in the Mediterranean hospitals and in England, and everything possible is being done in regard to ,the provision of comforts. In addition to £5000 sent to the High Commissioner, tho Minister gave instructions two days ago to remit £1034, which sum depletes the amount subscribed' by the public and placed at. tho Minister's disposal for that purposo. Ho strongly appeals tothe public and patriotic societies to build up the fund and send contributions to tho Secretary for Internal Affairs at Wellington. The Government is providing all necessaries, but he would be glad if tho public would continue their contributions' of comforts. So far £22,000 lias been sent for the New Zealand hospital at Wa!-ton-on-Thames, which will bo extended to 300 beds. The hospital is entirely staffed by New Zealanders,' controlled by the High Commissioner and Lord I'lunkot's committee of Now Zealanders at Home. With regard to New Zealand soldiers distributed among British hospitals, the Government has agreed to pay so much per head to tho Imperial Government. No' information has been received as to losses of New Zealanders aboard the transport, -Marquette,, which was recently torpedoed.