TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 285, 28 August 1919, Page 4

TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COST. Bj Toleeraph—Prens'Association. Christchurch, August 27. At a metlnge of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board today the Public Health Committee reported in reference to the case of a soldier suffering from tuberculosis. Ths Assistant Director .of Military Services for the Canterbury district had been referred to, and he suggested that treatment at the Defence Department's expense could not be authorised.' The opinion of the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital (Dr. Fox) and of Dr. Blackmore was that the man's condition was brought about by illness from which he suffered while on military service. Tho committee therefore asked for permission to make representation elsewhere regarding the case of the patient. The secretary described the case, which, briefly, was that the soldier left New Zealand with the Fifteenth Reinforcements, became ill, and developed meningitis at Durban. It was decided to 6end the soldier back to the Dominion, and ha had since become a permanent tubercular patient. Further, his pension had been reduced from £1 10s. to 15s. a week. In connection with tubercular soldier patients a letter was also read from Dr. Blackmoro, Medical Director of Tuberculosis Institutions, stating that several cases had occurred where Imperial servi'e soldiers or naval men had been sent to him suffering from tuberculosis, .an'l mentioning that he understood the Defence Department would not undertake the treatment of these men, although in eonio cases they wero New Zealanders, and that it was quite certain that their disability, had been due to active service. Dr. Blftckinore suggested that representation should be made to the Minister ot Defence on the subject. • .., .... Mr. A. Smith "spoke in" strong terms and criticised the Defence Department severely. "The' fact is," he saiq, "these poor boys are passed on from one Department to' another. There is altogether too much red tape among the officers of the Deportments." It was agreed to forward all rorrespon. ence in the matter to the Minister of Defence, with a request that he act with, out delay. •