AN EXTRAORDINARY POSITION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3124, 30 June 1917, Page 6

AN EXTRAORDINARY POSITION

It. is difficult to credit tho story set out in our news columns to-day concerning tho treatment of a group of returned soldiers discharged from further service and recalled at a moment's notice to serve in the ranks. Yet the men and their friends are most positive, as to the facts. These young New Zealanders volunteered for service early in tho war; they were at Gallipoli and they served in France. All of them suffered wounds, and ultimately they wore, honourably discharged as medically unfit for further - service. They landed back in New Zealand in May last, and a. few weeks later .after .they had once more- settled down to civilian life they were sum-

moncd ad a moment's notice to return for examination hy tin: Medical Board. When they presented themselves before the Medical Board they were, without examination, sent into camp to await tho arrival from England of their medical papers. To crown this amazing sLory ol callous indifference to tliu past services of the men and to tho hardship imposed on them, they were promptly drafted into the next .Reinforcement to leave for the front. With thousands of fresh men to draw on, these eight 'men who have boon at the front for over 2i years, who have been wounded and discharged a-s medicaly unfit, are, almost as soon as they arrive back in' New Zealand, hustled off to the front again. It sounds an incredible, story, bud if tho facts are substantiated it is a shameful act of blundering injustice. We have brought the matter under the notice of the Minister of Defence, who has promised to have it thoroughly investigated and if injustice has been done- to sec thai, the men are righted.