RETURNED SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2676, 24 January 1916, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS

DEPUTATIONS TO AN M.P. MINISTERS'- REPLIES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, January 22. A deputation of returned soldiers with grievances regarding their treatment by tho military authorities waited on Dr. 'l'hacker, M.P. 'l'he men were obviously quite sincere in making their complaint. They stated tliat they liad attempted to gain redress l'rom the Defence Department, and as there had been so far no evidence of desire to meet their cases with that sympathy which they expected, they feared that they would be left without assistance either financially or otherwise to find for themselves. Dr. Thacker did more than lend a sympathetic ear—he made a thorough examination of' each man end took notes on cases as medical practitioner, and also collected evidence iu his capacity as member of Parliament. He states that as the result of his examination and inquiry he is satisfied that the men iu Auckland have real grounds for complaint, and in order to investigate the complaints which he has received as to treatment of soldiers at Rotorua he is going to the thermal centre on Monday. "Several men who have hastened back from Rotorua are telling _ their mates not to go up there," said the doctor, "because they find it difficult to get any attention." In order to make myself acquainted with the facts of tho case I hope to make a personal inspection of. tho hospitals at Pukeroa Hill and elsewhere." To-night's "Star" states: "Tho following cases are typical of a large number examined by Dr. Thacker:—. Geqrge Ditloy, Main Body, 3rd Auckland Regiment, was discharged from New Zoalarid Forces as from January 13. He was given a three weeks' railway pass, but was not able to take advantage of the concession, owing; to having practically no money. Ho states that he is unabie to obtain from the Defence Department £7 10s; duo to him for ordinary pay, and £7 15s. 'canteen' pay due at ration allowance. He is suffering from iritis and retinitis, following on septic ophthalmia in one eye, which is kept covered. He is affected by acute photophobia. Dr. 'Thacker states that Ditley should bo under the caro of a first-class eye-specialist, where he can get the best attention." Sydney Robert Phillips, Main Body, 6th Haurakis, married, was returned to New Zealand with five bullet-wounds iu his leg. He has received only seven days' pay since December. He stat<*s that the military authorities want his discharge.' Dr. Thacker states that the condition of Phillips' leg * indicates the necessity [or up-to-date hydro-thera-peutic treatment, and deep massage. Charles Angrove (25 years of age), of the 15th : North Auckland Regiment, landed in Gallipoli, on April 25. On June 29 ho was wounded in the right knee. On Monday last he was-sent to Rotorua for treatment. He states that he applied for treatment each day, and was told to return on the following day. Nothing was done for Kim, and he returned to Auckland on Thursday. Dr. Thacker' examined Angrove's leg. He states' that hot. packs and massage are necessary to prevent contraction of tho muscles above the knee. If such injuries do not receive prompt treatment, jimbs are likely to suffer permanent injury. ■ Walter Joseph William Thorpe (30 years of age), Third Reinforcements, 16th Waikatos, landed at Gallipoli on April 25. He was casuaitied at the end of July is the result of severe concussion, and at Alexandria developed dysentery and vomiting. He states that upon his Teturn to Auckland ho was unable to got any satisfaction from the Government medical authorities. He placed himself in tho hands of a private doctor,' and was operated , upon successfully. He_ was discharged on December 15, and is stilt short of £6 7s. 4d. . Dr. Thacker states that Thorpe's case is typical of of others that have come under his notice.

RESERVE JUDGMENT TILL FACTS ARE KNOWN MINISTERIAL COMMENT. The statements made by Dr. Thacker on behalf' of the deputationists referred last night to the Ministers concerned, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Public Health. "I can not understand the statements with regard to pay," said the Hon. James Allen. . We must examine every individual case cited. The instruction is/that men are to be _paid fortnightly 'up till'the time of their discharge. In some amoiuit : of pay apparently due is withheld until the man's records and pay-book come back' from Egypt. -We must check their pay received before they arrive here, otherwise we may over-pay men, as we have already doho in a few cases. To prevent this an amount is held for adjustment purposes. I can't say whether that amount would ever be as much as £7 10s. Wo must examine every individual case." The Minister of Public Health, Mr. 6. W. Russell, also suggested that judgment ought to be suspended until full inquiry is made. "It is impossible to express an opinion on these cases brought before Dr. Thacker until the facts are all known," said Mr. Russell. "The Public Health Department has no control over soldiers who have been dis. charged. When men are discharged by "the Defence authorities they become civilians, and as such are entitled to treatment in public hospitals. The

convalescent camps are for isoldiers who are still under 3trict military discipline. As to the circumstances of the cases' mentioned, no opinion can be expressed until the medical officers responsible, if any officers are responsible at all, have been asked for explanations. "I can't understand the case of the man who is alleged to have gone to Rotorua, because if the man was dispatched from Auckland to Rotorua by command either of the Defence authorities or of the Public Health authorities for admission to the Rotorua Hospital, it would surprise me very much to learn that there was anv delay in admitting him at Rotorua. There are two doctors at the Rotorua Hospital, whose business it is to attend to soldiers. If, on tho other hand, the man went to Rotorua on his own account, being a discharged soldier, he.could not be admitted. The responsibility for dealing with such cases does not rest with the Government at all. If the man is disabled he should apply to the Pensions Board for the monetary relief to which he is entitled, and if he needs medical treatment ho can ge!>_ it at a- public hospital in the ordinary way. 1 "The answer to tho statement about i the man requiring the services of an eye specialist is that if the soldier is a patient at the Auckland Hospital, as apparently he ought to be, the highest medical advice and skill aTe available to him. and any specialist on the honorary staff would give him the necessary attention. , "My opinion is that judgment should he reserved in connection with the cases quoted by Dr. Thacker. ' I think his proper course in to forward full stater incuts of tho different cases which he considers arc not being properly treated, and when we have these statements wo . can make fill) inquiries. We can then ; inquire as to whether the man is or is . not discharged, and as to what is his 1 military record, and then we can como ■ to a prapar judgment; In the menntinio aeogle of ib* Dominion max restagj.

sured that the Public Health Department is doing, and will do, everything possible for the assistance of the men." V/AIL FROM WANCANUI. THEIR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, January 29. Local returned soldiers, at a meeting held yesterday, decided to form a Returned Soldiers 1 Club. A building has heen placed at their disposal; and the club will be opened on Monday. It was made perfectly plain at tlie_ meeting that the, men have a host of grievances. All through the meeting, Patriotic Committee members were assailed with questions regarding pay and messing allowances, and money for hospital comforts, which they should have got, but had not, which made it plain that there had been some bungling somewhere. One man produced his pay-book, and said -he had not been squared up with since April, while others had not received any pay for some length of time. Others complained that they had not re-' ceived any of the hospital comforts for which money was cabled to Egypt,- while others again complained that they had left the hospital without money, nor could they get any. One man, who camo back on the Maheno, exhibited a trashy little Christmas stocking, the cost of which would not be more than }d. He said that that was what he got for his share of the money which had been sent to the ship for Christmas comforts for the men. The stocking conj tained half a dozen lollies of inferior quality, a little. toy, and some other articles.