BOUND HOME.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 9 January 1919, Page 3

BOUND HOME.

THE RETURNING

TRANSPORTS

SYSTEM OF DISCHARGE

DESCRIBED,

First to return are the hospital cases and convalescents. Then Then will come the men who are still fit. Just at present, the Defence Department has to prepare for the invalds, and for this reason the new system of facilitating discharge straight from the ship's side will not be possible. But an improved system is* to be adopted which can be worked wjien the fit men commence to return.

Captain Bartlett, formerly of Base Records, Wellington, who recently returned to England for further active service, and Sergt.Major Gardiner, who for several years was the N,C.O. in charge of the medical boarding of returned soldiers in Wellington, are to be at the disposal of General Richardson in London for the purpose of instructing staffs which will be sent out with each transport to deal with the returning soldiers en route, enabling them to disembark on arrival without any delay whilst boarding arrangements are being carried out as at present.

As is the case at present, it will not, under this system, be necessary for a returned man to again go near a'Defence Office after leaving the vessel. He may have to return certain articles of kit which he will want for a time, but he can send them back by post. '

The new scheme provides for the holding of Demobilisation Boards on returning transports prior to arrival in New Zealand. Detailed instructions have been printed and sent to England, showing how the soldier's medical papers have to be prepared, how his dental examination and treatment is to be undertaken, the medical boarding, issue of hospital treatment certificates for use after arrival, discharge of fit men, the provision of leave on pay and a four weeks' railway nass, notification to next of kin that he is about to arrive, and preparation of pension claim where this is necessary. There is a good deal to do for each individual soldier, but under this system the staff will have the whole period of the voyage for the work, and will be detailed especially for it, with no other duties to distract them.

It is intended to establish a training school in England for the instruction of suitable men, who will come out as the Demobilisation Staff, and be discharged with the other soldiers on the transport upon their arrival. No expense will thus be incurred in sending staffs of trained men backwards and forwards, doing nothing during the journey to England.