DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 8 January 1916, Page 6

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

MR. RUSSELL REMOVES ;. MISCONCEPTION. i. The opiuion expressed in a series of :- interviews commenting on the Hon. G. W. Russell's statement that the Gov- . ernment'e responsibility for soldiers would end wifch their discharge, that . the observation could not be taken . literally, is confirmed by a supplementary statement made by Mr. Russell. The Minister expressed surprise at the suggeetion that his statement had I been interpreted as meaning the abanj donment of pensions and the employment scheme. The responsibility he referred to as ending with discharge was that of the Defence and Public Health Departments. After discharge the Gov ernment was no longer liable for payment of the men as soldiers, or for their treatment in hospitals other than institutions under the Public Health Department. The object of his circular was to point' out at what stage the Defence and Public Health responsibility ceased and the societies' opportunity to exercise their functions began. Mr. Russell reiterated his conviction that some organisation was necessary to bind patriotic societies together and provide inter-communication to prevent exploitation.