TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
MONTHLY MEETING. Mr. W. P. ICirkwood (Stratford) presided at the meeting of the Taranaki War Relief Association at Stratford yesterday. 'Other delegates present were: Messrs C. E, Bellringer (New Plymouth), E. A. Washer (Farmers' Union), J. W. Winfield (Inglcwood), F, W. Atkinson (North Taranaki), H. L. Spratt (Returned Soldiers), T. B. Crump (Eltharn), J. F. Stevenson (Manaia). CORRESPONDENCE, An application was received from the War Horticultural Relief Fund requesting assistance towards restoring devas. tated regions—the war zone-—Decided that application was beyond the scope of the association. Existing grants to three New Plymouth mothers are to be conticued for another three months. It was resolved to wipe off balance of a small loan owing by a returned soldier who has since died*
TUBERCULOSIS SOLDIERS. A lengthy pamphlet was received from an Auckland delegation oil a visit of inspection of the Waikato (Cambridge) and Rotorua Sanatoria. At Rotorua the staff included three medical officers, 10 nursing sisters, and, say, 50 orderlies. On September 30 there were 12(1 convalescents at King George's Hospital and 73 in the sanatorium, including 15 unable to leave their beds, besides IS others living with their relatives at Kotorua. The sanatorium was originally built for 40 patients, but had been enlarged by a hotch-potch of additions to accommodatfi, say, 90 in a more or leis makeshift manner. As soldier patients increased during the past three years, civilians began to be crowded rnit, and on October 1 there were only eight male civilians, and no females. The delegation did not hear of any actual refusal to admit patients. Whilst it was only right the soldiers should have first claim on the Rotorua waters and baths, this should only be a temporary matter until accommodation was secured for all. Tim sanatorium is a decidedly unattractivelooking place, the wards being dismal, with a general air of shabbinoss, floor coverings worn and threadbare, smoking and sitting rooms chperless. At present it is calculated to give any patients "the blues" by its depressing tone. Accommodation for necessary treatment in the bath-house is pitiably small and already congested. Rooms originally built for one patient are now holding three and four. The electric apparatus was overworked. In the bath-house during December, 11)15, there were 545, while for August, 1918, there were 4900. Regarding tlio Georgft V. Hospital, the Y-M.C.A. were about to erect an institute in the grounds which will provide for al). recreational purposes. From figures and information, it is desirable that there should be hospital accommodation for at leaßt 1000 patients immediately set up in the North Island. At the Waikato (Cambridge) sana toriuni. Colonel Scott has control, assisted bv a staff of si" siafcfiTib, one sergeant, and tc-n orderlie, with 81 patients. They recommended that some assistance, say, £IOO, should be raised for removal and renovation of building for general workshop and recreational purposes. The Y-M.C.A., also the Cambridge people, had rendered great service towards the welfare of the patients, but the Health Department appeared to rely too much upon transit of patients in the motorcar maintained and staffed entirely by patriotic organisations. As at Rotorua,. the Waikato sanatorium wai found ta be totally inadequate to take proper cari) of all tubercular patients requiring treatment. Although it requires many months to cure a man infected by tuberculosis, the delegation found that the demand for space was so great that discharges have to take place at tlic end of about three month's, cured or not cured. It was asserted that in three months infected men had been taught how to take care of themselves by the open-air method and careful choice of work and food, but very few men are in a position when returning home to carry out any organised system of treatment- A soldier in a boarding-house could, not have the doors and windows open ali day and night. In addition, the more u man makes his complaint public the more -he is cold-shouldered and avoided. A sensitive man keeps his complaint out oJ sight, an<i the disease gets a stronger hold. Incidentally, the disease has s chance to infect and is a danger to others with whom the patient comes into contact. It was idle to discharge men at the end of three months, and ilO per cent, of infected men should continue their treatment in an institution for that purpose. The delegates were informed that there 700 to SOO returned soldiers suffering from tuberculosis, and the majority of these should be under treatment or observation for at leaat two years, yet there were only 81 at Waikato. What lias become of the rest? There must be several hundred wandering round the country A now consumptive hospital is to be erected at ■Waipukur.au, and the'6l patients 'rom Waikato are to be removed there. This will accommodate 00 men, tut in nine or ten months the position will become congested again, and the same reckless discharge of uncured patients. The Dafenw Department must be aware that there are a large number of tubercular patients returning, so should provide further accommodation so that there should be no delay. In conclusion, the delegation stated that the whole miltter demands immediate attention, even if it involves a change in the Government policy. ...
The chairman said it was unfortunate that conditions should have been found so deplorable. Tlio returned soldiers certainly deserved bettor treatment Mr. Stevenson said it was the duty of the State to look after these men. Wo nil appreciate the work tliG soldiers had done at the front. Tl>» public should see to this.
Mr. Atkinson stated he appreciated the work of the Cambridge people in connoetion with these soldier patients. Ha thought they might make a as he was quits satisfied these soldiers must be a tax upon the people in' the neighborhood. Mr. Bellrinfror believed t,Tic Cambridge people did not .Irsire any monetary assistance, but rather desired the support of the' association in making the f.oyenvmcnt. recognise tlieir responsibility in the matter. It was a mistako tliat these soldiers should be allowed to fend for themselves. The chairman stntefl it was disheartening that such inadequate arrangements should prevail. Something should be done to remedv the matter, and ha nroposed—"That consideration of the report on tho, Wsflfato Sanatorium, this association stror.gly uteres the government to provide adequate aecoamo-.
On the motion of Mr. H. L. Spratt, it was resolved to forward letters of congratulation to the parents o? Sergeant Grant and Private Laurent, Hawora, on the winning of the Victoria Cross. A sum of £IOO is to be forwarded to the Russell Club (London) for New Zealanders, the association believing the amount would be required by our soldiers between now and demobilisation. The" secretary reported that up to the 7th inst, receipts since the pervious masting 1 (otaDeJ £3t4 If Is, mainly interest and principal payments from soldiers for losses secured from the association. The fund are included in the total, being £SO from New Plymouth, £25 North Taranaki, £25 Patea, and £4O Hawera. Regarding employment of soldiers, it was announced that thera weri- only six names on the list requirisg employment. New Plymouth 2, Hawm 2, and Inglewood 2. The next meeting wil'. be held on January 15.
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Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1918, Page 3
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1,202TARANAKI WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION. Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1918, Page 3
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