FEATHERSTON CAMP HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 246, 11 July 1919, Page 8

FEATHERSTON CAMP HOSPITAL

ACTION OF RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION STATEMENT BY MR. CURTAYNE Some account of the steps taken by the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Asso;iation regarding the treatment of tho soldiers still in hospital at Featherston Camp was given to a reporter last nightby Mr.'. A. CurUyne, secretary of the Wellington branch. "The visit to the hospital," he stated, "disclosed an unsatisfactory state of affairs, and immediately the inspection was concluded She whole matter was brought under the notice of the medical officer then in charge. The next day tho delegation interviewed BrigadierGeneral flichardson, who stated that orders had already been issued for the substitution <of crockery instead of the somewhat damaged enamelware which had been ..in use in the. hospital. He also promised to see that the other grievances would be immediately rectified. _ I then got into touch with the executive of the lied Cro-is, K \\a informed me that the Wairarapa Red Cross Committee was making provision for. the comfort of the men in hospital, and was prepared to provide any clothing or comforts which were necessary to supplement the provision made by the military authorities. A certain monthly sum—l think MOhad been provided for extras, but now a depot was being established which would' supply articles of clothing, comforts, etc., not provided for in the monthly issue. The Featherston Committee, which had ample funds at its disposal, was calling to its aid the ladies of the Wairarapa generally to assist: in the running of the depot, so as to keep it open at least several days, of the week. "The men's grievances were well found ; ed. and I have kept closely in (Such with the authorities since the matter was first represented to them. Some rf the matters in dispute have already been rectified, and active steps are being taken to remedy the others. In view of the fact that such action was being token and of the disturbing effect of such disclosures, on the hospital patients <"ul their dependants, my committee had decided against undue publicity." MINISTER fiIAING INQUIRIES The disclosures regarding the hospital accomniodation given to tubercular and other patients at Featherston Camp were brought to the notice of the Defence Minister yesterday. Sir James Allen said that the newspaper account of the conditions was the first intimation he had-had that anything was amiss, lie was having inquiries made, and until he had the reports he would have no more to say on the Subject. But he added: "We have been anxious to get the tubercular cases away from l'crftherston, but we have been very much'disappointed with regard to rite contract for the erection of Ihe sanatorium at Waipukurau. We had expected (lint it. would have beeixi'eady ere this, and wo regret very much that there has been delay. We hope to have the place by next month, but of this wo cannot bo sure owing to tho great difficulty, being experienced in securing carpenters for the work. One section of the Cashmere Hills Sanatorium, in the South Island, has been completed, but'an extension is to be made there."

EXHAUSTIVE INQUIRY URGED. By Telegraph—Press Association Auckland, July 10. The City Council 10-night passed a resolution to the effect that the attention of the Minister of Defence bo called to the revelations in the Press regarding tho treatment of tubercular soldiers at Feaiheritpn Camp. Hope was expressed that proVision for the men's comfort had now been made, and it was asked ihat an instant and exhaustive inquiry by a. competent tribunal be held.