UNFIT MEN IN FORCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1917, Page 7

UNFIT MEN IN FORCES.

DEFECTS IN RECENT DKAFTS. A New Zealand doctor who is 011 active service writes as follows:—"I do not kiiow what, is happening in NewZealand, but the proportion of useless men arriving in the later reinforcements, from the twelfth to the seventeenth, is a disgrace. Many of the men have disabilities, which from the start would prevent them going to the trenches. One would think that- the most cursory examination would reveal Uieir unfitness, and the only explanation I can think of is that they have been stuck in to bring up the quota. One man examined had lateral curvature of the spine. I wonder if he was ever stripped and examined? "There are several men in one camp alone from the twelfth to the seventeenth reinforcements who have never been out of England. It is costing the country thousands of pounds all to no purpose. Men are also being 'boarded' out'of the service and sent back to New Zealand. They would be fit to take jobs at bases, on lines of communication, etc., and thus release sound men. They are trying to alter the latter, but the former business is an absolute disgrace. These- men would have been useful in New Zealand for ordinary civilian work, farming and what not, whereas they are an %ie.ninbri)n«' ,