RED TAPE METHODS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1928, Page 3

RED TAPE METHODS

CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ACCUSED. SYDNEY, June 5. From time to time much has been written, half in sorrow and half in auger, about red tape methods of Government' departments, but if the latest allegation against the Commonwealth Customs Department is true surely never before have these methods been calculated to have such disastrous results. It is said that the Department was almost directly responsible for the death of Mr David Thomas, Manly’s best known and veteran'medical man. A victim of the dreaded disease, pernicious anaemia, Dr Thomas lias been kept alive for many months by means of transfusions of blood. More than twenty transfusions were ad-

ministered while they were temporarily efficacious the patient began to sink, and the gravest consequences were feared: His medical adviser, as a last resort, decided to try liver extract made up by.Kli Lilly in ica. A supply arrived in Sydney, hut had* not been passed by the Customs. The desperate condition of the patient, having been impressed upon the Sydney firm which handles the extract, a special effort was made to induce the Department to release the medicine without delay. The appeal fell on deaf ears. Dr 1 honias s (*onbecame more critical. Bis doctor rang the firm day and night. ■So insistent was the doctor that one of the principals of the firm took a hand in matters, hut, although the Customs authorities were acquainted with the seriousness of the position, thejh* refused, it is said, to be put out of their customary stride, and a .week elapsed ; before the extract was released* The application of the extract wns.'fallowed by an immediate improvement in the conditions of the patient. That was three weeks ago, when Dr Thomas was so low as to be helpless. He is now well enough to return to his home.