THE HOSPITAL SHIPS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1626, 19 October 1916, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL SHIPS.

THEIR RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND. AN OFEICTAL EXPLANATION. hi connection with the return to New Zealand of the hospital ships, it now appears, from enquiries made from the General Officer Commanding, that the New Zealand hospital ships, in conjunction with all other hospital ships, are under the joint control of the Admiralty and the War Office. Early in lime the War Office informed (he New Zealand Government that they had arranged a scheme which they desired to carry into operation, whereby the Australian and New Zealand hospital ships should work together in carrying hack wounded to Australasia. There, are a very large number indeed of hospital ships fitted in exactly the same manner as those in New Zealand, which are being employed, and one of their duties is to return wounded or sick overseas soldiers (o tlieir several lands. 11; is absolutely essential, it is stated, that the hospitals in Great Britain shall be emptied as soon as possible, and, further, the medical authorities everywhere are unanimous in asking for such a procedure. It is misleading to suppose that only cot cases should be sent in hospital ships; there are many bad eases which are not cot (-uses, and the discretion as to who are sent must be left to the medical authorities.

It is pointed out. that the New Zealand hosjutal ships have carried comparatively few New Zealanders, but they have taken their turn with the other ships in various spheres of operations, and while ships are continually being shifted, the full complement of ships at the required spot, is always being maintained. In the present instance the Marama is landing 341 Australians in the Commonwealth before coming here. Both ships will, it is stated, be fully utilised on their return journey to Great Britain.