RETURNED OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 160, 1 April 1919, Page 6

RETURNED OFFICERS

bA MISCONCEPTION REMOVED.

A statement was made V the Defence >T inistor yesterday in reply to a complaint that had .-cached ■ his ears regarding returned officers and their discharge from the forces on their return to this country "There have been some criticisms nt the Defence Department, 1 " said the Mmister, "to the effect that officers are lint being gazetted out of the force after 28 days' leave on full pay, as is the ruje for the rank and file. This is not so except in the case of medical officers, and their case is n special'oic.. Officers are given notice on the ship that they will he struck off at the end of 28 days leave, hut officers requiring medical treatment are not so struck. off. This is the rule for privato noldiers, who nro kept in the force on pay until they ;ire fit for discharge, and the same rule , is applied to officers. Medical officers are not discharged, but are ordered to report to the D.G.M.S. Tlio reason is that we have to treat flic sick and wounded men in the hospitals, and it is essential that we should keep a sufficient number ot medical officers . treat them. Some of tlieso medical men liavo had special training in the United Kingdom, and wo. are hound to hold ciich of them as wo require if wo are to do our duty to the sick f.rnl wounded meii. I am pleased to sn.v that medical men arc meeting us in flic pi oner spirit, and are remaining with us et eonsiderrtblo sacrifice to llicmselvcs. The whole fiiiestio" was discussed at the fecent mcdinl conference, and at tlv conference I ii'formed itlice mcdical officers that I would do what f could for them in regard to the protection of their interests, so far as I was able, 1o do it. both while they were with the Defence Department and after they loft us."