MEN AT THE FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 24 August 1915, Page 3

MEN AT THE FRONT.

j LACK OF INFORMATION. j QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. WELLINGTON. Aug. 20. Several further questions relating to the difficulties in obtaining accurate information re New Zealand soldiers who are killed, wounded, or missing at the front, were asked in the House of Represetatives this afternoon. Mr. C. J. Parr (Eden) asked whether it was not possible for the Defence Department to obtain more accurate information from Egypt in regard to the sick and wounded soldiers. Two instances which had been brought under his notice appeared to show a sad lack of organisation in obtaining and in transmitting information. One case was that of a mother who had two sons at the front. One son had been reported as missing on June Bth, and this information was confirmed in a subsequent telegram. In a letter, however, received from the other son and written on July Bth, the writer stated that he had seen his brother that day and that was was "going strong." In the other case the parents of a soldier had been notified that their son had been wounded on June 9, and that he was progressing favourably. This statement was afterwards confirmed by a cable received in reply to an inquiry. Last week, however, the mother received a letter stah'y that her so*n had been killed on May 10. , Mr. Parr asked whether it was not possible to improve the method of obtaining news of the killed and wounded men.

"All That Is Possible." The Minister for Defence (the Hon. James Allen) said that the depart: ment had done all that was possible t< do to obtain information. Reports were now being obtained from each of the hospitals and transmitted through the base in Egypt. As to the two cases referred to by Mr. Parr, lie was unable, to explain them. Mistakes were often made by people who thought they had seen certain' soldiers killed. In one case which had come under his ntice a soldier stated that he had seen his mat killed, while another man said that he had not only ?oen him kil'bd but had assisted to bury him; yet a few days later the mnn who was said to have been killed walked out of his dug-out looking Very much alive. The Minister added that he was sending a man to Egypt to r into the whole question on the spot and see how the present organisation could be improved. In so far as he could see, the present organisation was* good, but he would sener a man to Egypt in order to satisfy himself and to satisfy the public. Organisation of Postal Service. Mr. W. A. Veiteh (TTanganui) asked whether the official who wouM be sent to Egypt would also make inquiries regarding the organisation of the postal service There had been many complaints from parents and friends of soldiers as to the delay in the delivery j of letters at the front, as well as in

the delivery of letters sent from the soldiers.

Mr. AHen said that very great difficulties had been experienced in regard to the delivery of letters and parcels. One instance occurred in regard to the 4th Reinforcements. Parcels and letters for these men had been addressed to Egypt but the 4th Reinforcements were sent on to Gallipoli within a few days of their arrival in Egypt. In order to expediate the delivery of the letters and parcels they were also sent on to Gallipoli. It so happpned, however, that some of the men remained in Egypt, and they, of course, found that their parcels and letters had gone to Gallipoli. They would, of course, come in time. The Postal Department was doing all that was possible, and the information received by him as tote as yesterday w&3 that the arrangements ments were now as complete as possible. Military or Civilian Agent.

Mr. D. Buick (Palmerston) asked whether the agent who would be sent to Egypt would be a military or civilian agent. There was a feeling among the public that a military agent would be of little use, as he would be restricted by too much red-tape. Mr. Allen said he was glad that the question had ben asked, as it gave him an opportunity to clear up the matter. Some people in this country seemed to think that a soldier, because he wore a uniform, had no brains nor business capacity. Our soldiers were really civilian soldiers drawn from the ranks of civilian employment. Colonel Charters was an inspector of schools; Colonel Esson was a trusted officer next to the Secretary of the Treasury Department; Lieutcnant-Coolnel Hall was specially selected in his position on account of his business experience and capacity; whilst Captain Fitzherbert was a worthy barrister. Here they had a ?ood combination of civilian capacity, but it happened that for the time being they were wearing uniforms, and had therefore lost their business capacity and their brains! Our organisation ' n Egypt at present was as complete as possible in regard not only to the sick and wounded, but also in respect ho fhe delivery of the mails and the distribution of gifts. By every mail he received letters stating that what New Zealand was doing in Egypt was a model for other countries to follow. "A Very roc-r ITouel." Mr. G. J. Anderson (Mataura): A very poor model! M*\ Al'nn: That is what the hpy. gentleman thinks. Mr. Anderson: And what thousands of others think, too. Mr. Allen asked what good a civiliana without uniform could do if Se were sent to Egypt. Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames): If he had brains he could do a great deal. Mr. Allen said that the present position was quite different from that of the South African war. . There was •«. complete organisation in Egypt, and he did not propose to take away +l < work from soldiers and place it in the hands of civilians. Information in the Records Office. Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato) statef'

that the information regarding wounded or ohter soldiers which was cc I

ed through the Post Office in reply to the inquiries, was not recorded on tb~ files in the Records Office. Mr. Allen said that there was close co-ordintion between the Defence and Postal Departments. He was not aware whether the information referered to was recorded on the personal files, but he would make inquiries, ana if it were not done, it would be done.