REMOVAL OF SICK MEN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3331, 8 November 1919, Page 2

REMOVAL OF SICK MEN.

. PASSAGES IN STEERAGE. PROTEST BY ‘ASSOCIATION. The travelling accommodation provided for a party of 13 sick soldiers who were transferred from Auckland to Hanmer by the Defence authorities last week was the subject of discussion by the axecutive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association last Tuesday evening. It was alleged that the nlen travelled ecsond-class in thetrain to Wellington, and that on the steamer trip from Wellington to Lyttelton they were placed in the steerage of the Vessel, together with Chinese. Mr T. Long, who introduced the matter, said the executive had afl‘irnl— the principle that sick soldiers should have the best possible accommodation when they were being removed by the Defence authorities. The experience of (being herded with Chinese in the steerage of a ferry steamer was not calculated to improve the condition of sick men, and the executive should enter a strong protest against their sick comrades being treated in such a manner. Other spea.k__ers supported Mr Long’s suggestion, and it was unanimously resolved to write to the Minister for Defence, strongly "protesting flgalllst the treatment accorded. themen 011 the journey.