TRENTHAM STAFF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 3

TRENTHAM STAFF

AND THE DEMOBILISATION OF CHAPLAINS. In regard to the hospital staff atTren■tham and the demobilisation of chaplains, the Rev. J. 11. Mackenzie has forwarded the following to tho Hon. Sir James Allen:—

"I am in roceipt of yours of August 15 anent a statement I made regarding .the Trenlham Hospital medical staff, and which is correctly reported in the Press.

"The statement was. made with the view of showing that while more than liberal provision was being made for the physical infirmities of the soldier, only the most meagre arrangements were proposed for the religious guidance of any who might desiro pjich help. "I cannot admit that my statement is incorrect, or gives a 'wrong impression. It appears to he rather difficult to get information which will hold good for n week. In writing to the convener of tho Presbyterian Chaplains' Committee on August 12, the O.C. said: 'As far as Trentham Camp is concerned there are now only 181 patients in camp, and this number is likely to decrease rather than increase.' The O.C. was seeking to show that there is no need for a regular chaplain in what is a small and declining community. My information of same date gave, referring to some days beforo, 220 patients. I took the medium and said 200. In defence of the medical staff you claim 198 patients with "0 expected, and you say 10 doctors in place of my 14. The latter was correct at tho time indicated, and I understand (here may again be 14 by another fortnight. If you will inquire you will find that on 1 August 15 tho patients were 230 and the staff H medical officers, 85 sisters, nurses, and V.A.D.'s, and 120 medical orderlies. I claim no expert knowledge of what a hospital staff should be, but I-nra a taxnayer, and when I know lliat in the Wellington civil hospital one surgeon with four, or sometimes five, medical assistants take cliargo of 400 patients one does not gel: the impression that the Trentham medical stafF is overworked.

"It is pleasing to have your assurance concerning chaplains. For denominations which have only a fraction of adherents in camp, and which, from that point of view lmve received more than liberal treatment all alone, it is easy and politic Id agree to demobilisation, but not so rosy for churches with larger interests. The compromise arrangement is still under consideration, but as it is reported that at least. lCGO.men will'be in'camn within a few weeks, the chaplains will not attend to merely hospital duty. "You ask me to supply the source of my information. With 'all respect .for your position and for the excellent work which, as Defence Minister, you have done, I cannot accede to this reouest. To do so would not alter the factsT and if military discipline is behind the request there is no need to go beyond the present writer. I am a chaplain of 27 years' etandiiw, debarred, unfortunately, by age from going to the front, but still on the Army list, with the status of colonel, and subject. to any possible penalty for breaking silence."