SERIOUS CHARGES.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1924, Page 2

SERIOUS CHARGES.

,i.,legations against mkntai

HOSPITALS

WROXGl’l'l, COMMITTAL OF IiKTFRNKD SOLDIF.IkS. WEI .KINGTON*. -lone *>. Strong allegations that returned soldiers bad been wiongfully committed to mental hospitals were made liv Colonel T. W. M’Donald at the annual meeting of the Wellington Returned diet's' Association. Cokmel M‘Donald stated he wa.s prepared to prove every (barge he made. Three specific eases were quoted by ■Colonel M*Donald, who said he was prepared to make tally fitly rhaigrs if the Minister in charge of the Met.' ■••’ Hospitals Department would grant his request for a public inquiry. Me said he had had much correspondence with the Minister and got what he interpreted as an admission of guilt ol unlawful incarceration of soldiers in mental hospitals. The Minister attempted to excuse the action of the authorities. Mr W. .). W. Pascoe sated that when lie was a member <>i the exe-u----tivc lie frequently visited Poriruu and the fullest facilities had been given for soldier patients to ho seen and their cases investigated. Lvory attention and courtesy was shown visitors kv tko medical superintendent and attendants, many of whom were th'tiiseives rotm 1 1ed men anxious io do the best lot toci l old comrades.

Tt was decided that Colonel M-Don-ald's statement he referred to the Dominion Conference ol the association which meets in Christehur h on Saturday. with a recommendation that an endeavour he made to have toe matter investigated by the Minister responsible.