THE MEDICALLY UNFIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1917, Page 2

THE MEDICALLY UNFIT.

Examinations CriticisedPer Press Association. -jCopyright Dunedin, March 12 At a meeting of the Patriotic Association to day the question of sending medically defective men to camp was discussed at length, the opinion being expressed that the inedieil txamination waa inadequate. Numerous inatancai were quoted of meD, after beiDg only a few weeks in camp, breaking up and being discharged, returning to this city and becoming a burden on the Patriotic Fund, which the association has in hand for assisting returned mm. The Government was critiaised for repudiating all responsibility in regard to men discharged from camp aud a committee was appointed to go thoiougiily into tbe matter and also into the question of increased allowances to soldiers’ dependents, to report at next meeting.

“An Absolute Disgrace.” A. New Zealand doctor, who is on ac'ive service, 'writes a a follows, states the “ 'Otago Daily Times ” ■ “ I do Dot know what ie happening in New Zealand, but the proportion of useless moa arriving in the late reinforcements —from the Tweifth to the Ssvenleenth —is a disgrace. Many are average, many have disabilities which from the start would prevent them going into the trenohes. One would think that the most cursory examination would reveal their unfitness, and the only explanation I can think of is that they have men stuck in to bring up the quota. One man examined had a lateral curvature of the spine. I wonder if ho was over stripped and examined? Thoie are several men in one camp clone, from the Twelfth to the Seventeenth Reinfo* cement?, who have never been out of Eugland. It is costing the country thousands of pounds, all to no purpose. Mon are also being boarded out of service and Bent back to New Zealand who would be fit to take on jobs at base?, on lines of communication, etc., aDd thus release sound men. They are trying to correct the latter, but the former business is an absolute disgrace ; and these men would have been useful in New Zealand for ordinary civilian work, farming and what not, whereas they are an enoumberance here. “ Convalescent soldiers—New Zealanders—are not permitted to convalesce with parents or relatives, even if these are accredit&u acd given an assurance of medical treatment necessary and of regular medical reports."