FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 December 1940, Page 6

FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT CALLED UP. HOSPITAL BOARD TO APPEAL. “The war is most important at present. I think it would be placing the board in an unpatriotic attitude if we appealed against any unmarried man being called up for military service,” stated Mrs S. Fletcher at a meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, held in Masterton today, when it was reported by the Managing-Secretary, Mr Norman Lee, that the Medical Superintendent of the Greytown Hospital, Dr Oakey, had been called up lot’ overseas service by the recent conscription ballot. “Normally I would agree with you, but I think that the case of the Medical Superintendent being called up is an exception,” said Mr W. B. Martin. Mr J. F. Thompson: “We are all of one mind about that. But if we don’t appeal Dr Oakey will go in as an ordinary soldier. He is too valuable a man for that.” It was explained by the chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, that all the doctors had been asked to sign a statement offering their service for the military authorities overseas. After some discussion as to the policy of appealing for medical superintendents it was decided, on the motion of Mr Thompson, seconded by Mr Arch. Clark, that an appeal be lodged.

Mrs Fletcher recorded her vote against the motion, which was carried with only one dissenting vote.