A STRANGE CASE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 35, 5 November 1919, Page 3

A STRANGE CASE

SOLDIER IN MENTAL HOSPITAL

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE : The case of a returned soldier who was confined for some time in a mental hospital was discussed for half an hour in the House of Representatives last night. Mr J. M. Dickson (Chalmers) reported, on behalf of the it to Z I'etitious Com mittec that tho committee lwd considered the petition of Dona'd Macintosh, who asked compensation for wrongful detention in a mentui hospital, lho committeo recommended tlio petition to the Government lor inquiry. . Sir Joseph Ward said tho case required verv careful consideration. Ho tuthncd tho" case in somo detail. Macintosh enlisted in 1915, and went to Egypt, 110 met With an accident that practically incapacitated him. After somo troubles abroad he was returned to New Zealand, where he was held for thirteen months before he secured his release. He- was placed among criminal lunatics, dressed 111 old clothes, and exposed to various hardships, His military pay was stopped, and money in his possession was retained by tho Department in payment ot his board in the mental hospital. Eventually this money was recovered. The caso required inquiry,. The evidenco that had been produced suggested, that tho man had been wrongfully detained, lho pro, ceedings at the inquiry should be public. The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) said tho returned soldiers requiring mental treatment were sent to lvantane. unless medical officers thought they should go direct to mental hospitals. 110 fullest inquiry would be made into tne case, , , , . , . Mr. T. M. Wilford said ho had in lus posesaion signed evidence regarding what had happened to Macintosh 111 SeacM' Mental Hospital. Ho would place copies before tho Minister. There ought to be a full public inquiry into the case. Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato) said that while in the mento/1 hospital Macintosh was raised to tho highest grade and placed in chargo of another returned soldier, who was partially paralysed. Ho objected to a warder ill-treating this man, and, in consequence, was degraded to the class of criminal lunatics. He stayed in tho class until ho was rei.cascd, although normal procedure required that ho should bo raised gradually to the highest class before being discharged. Mr. W. A. Veitch asked that the inquiry should not 'be one of the usual military type. Mr. Massey adid a full public inquiry would bo held, and every effort would bo mado to sheet homo the responsibility for what was alleged to havo occurred. Ho would havo tho matter dealt with at once. Mr. W. H. Field was glad that the Primo Minister was going to do the right thing by this returned soldier. The fullest inquirv was required. Mr. Sempf.o said that Macintosh had been tho victim of foul play. Tho man should bo given lr!s back pay at once. Bv what right had his pay been stopped while he was detained in a mental hospital? Mr. C. H. Poole told the House that there was much anxiety in tho country about tho treatment of soldiers in mental hospitals. Sir James Allen: I don't control mentil hospitals. Mr. Poole.: Some of the men who have thromrh your hands havo gone to mental hospitals. The pet'lion was referred to the Government for inquiry.