REFERENCE IN PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 47, 20 November 1918, Page 6

REFERENCE IN PARLIAMENT

v COUNTRY DISTRICTS RELEASING THE SOLDIERS FROM THE CAMPS. [ The influenza epidemic was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, and .several statements on the subject were made by Ministers. Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) said . that there was great distress in the country districts owing to lack of medical and nursing attention. Two doctors who covered 300 miles of country between Pio Pio and Ohakune were both down with the influenza, and people were dying. He suggested that the Defence Department should send some trained medical orderlies from the camps. The Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) asked for information regarding the men in the camps. What was being done to protect- the men and get them fo their homes as early as possible? Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) said he was receiving many letters asking his assistonce in getting men out of the camps. The men were sorely needed at home in many cases owing to the epidemic. The Government ought to make special provision for getting the southern men to their homes, owing to the dislocation of the ordinary ferry service. The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) said that, the Defence Department, of its own volition and by his wish, had given every assistance in its power in fighting the f-pidemic. The Department had sent medical officers and nurses to Auokland, it had sont trained men from Awapuni all over the country, and had lent trained orderlies where required. An appeal had come from JohnRonvillo, and six orderlies were beiiy sent there that afternoon. Other .orderlies were being sent to Danncvirke. Twelve men had been sent to Wellington already, and others were being sent. A suggestion had been made to him that soldiers should be employed disinfecting homes in the city. He did not think 'that this duty hhould bo given to the soldiers. It was the duty of the civilians to attend to the disinfection of their homes, but-the soldiers would assist if necessary. With regard to demobilisation, the position was that steadily and without advertisement. the Defence Department had been releasing men from the camps, added the Defenco Minister. The camps had been divided into blocks for medical purposes, so that fit men, contnets, convalescents, and so forth might be kept distinct, and the men were being released as fast as the medical authorities thought safe. If he had allowed "men to leave in large numbers in the . early stages of the epidemic they would have carried the diseaso all oyer the country. Ho had considered it his duty to hold the men until they could safely be let go. As soon as a man had been eight days clear of infection, and had been three times disinfected, he was allowed to leave camp. He hoped in the course | of the next few days to be able to release » large number _of convalescents. : The Defence authorities realised that men were more liable to infection when massed together in large bodies, • and it j hnd made every effort to scatter the I troops. All available buildings had been | Used for' this purpose, and tents had been procured from all parts of New Zealand after, a hurricane unfortunately wrecked the canvas camp in the early days of the epidemic. Men who had been allowed to leave camp off sine die leave were not expected to return. In fact, they would not bo admitted to camp if they did return! The Minister mentioned that he had been trying to arrange with' the Union Company to have' soldiers carried to the South Island by special steamer, but there was great difficulty in getting crews. ' The Minister of Marine (the Hon.T. M. Wilfofd) said the Government steamers could be used if crews were available, but the present position was that I sailors and firemen could not bo obtained. The men fell sick as fast as they were engaged. Sir .Tames Allen said he would like to appeal to thosa who were able to man these ships 'to assist. The occasion demanded the best effort that everybody could make. Mr. G. Hunter (Wainawa) asked the Prime Minister to see that the country hospitals sot a share of the oranges and lo mons that were soon to reach New Zealand. The need was 1 great. ■ _Mr. Massey said--that two large consignments of oranges and lemons were coming to New, Zealand this week, and steps would be taken to see thnt the fruit was distributed -to all the centres and country districts where it was needed.