INVALIDED SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 18852, 18 June 1920, Page 7

INVALIDED SOLDIERS

FREE TOBACCO. THE POSITION EXPLAINED. At the annual meeting of the War hands Association yesterday the chairman (Mr 11. W. Uoydsi had something to say in regard to complaints made some time ago about the distribution of tobacco and cigarettes to soldiers in hospital. It was never the intention or the desire of the Association to withhold these comforts from men in the Convalescent Home and the Hospital, he declared. The question, however, was, who was entitled to the gifts? Last year over £2OO had been spent on tobacco, as much as, if not more, than in any previous year, and the |>oint had been raised as to whether or not men. returned from the war and admitted to hospital later as the re.-ult of troubles in no way connected with the war. were entitled to the issue. The committee had thought that if it took the affirmative view it would be committing Ihe Association to an expenditure that would ia-t lor many years. The distribution of now being carried out by the Led Crorsi Societv. which was allowed to expend its surplus funds in the provision of comforts. There had been a certain amount of newspaper correspondence in reference to the position, but this the committee hail not followed tip because it. did not look o'.i that as its job. On the occasion of general meetings it was open to anyone who was qualified to come forward with complaints. The Mayor (Mr John Stead i referred to the case of the man whose state of health in consequence of the war did not. permit him to follow his usual work, and had to secure another occupation, ihrmigh not being conversant with this work he might meet with an accident, so his injury would be traceable to the war. Mr D. Cuthbertson said that the Red Cross Society issued tobacco only to those men who were suffering from war disabilities. The discussion then lapsed.