EPIDEMIC TRANSPORT VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 72, 25 March 1919, Page 9

EPIDEMIC TRANSPORT VOLUNTEERS.

(Ti. the Editor.) Sir,—Mr. Gunson has stated that an organisation for competing with a recurrence of the epidemic is in existence, also that the St. John Motor Transport Service is in like preparedness. Mr. Gunson's department may be in ord-er, but I am afraid that Mr. Tunks' assertion is purely assumption. During the first outbreak I lent my car and services as a transport worker, and during the time covered over 2000 miles on stretcher and convalescent cases; but so far have never been approached as to whether my services would again tx> available. There is no doubt that many would answer such a call, but, again, there are others who will resent it being taken for granted by those who claim to be organisers and lack the tact of paying to us the small courtesy of ascertaining what we are willing to do.

It must be remembered that a voluntary motor transport man has to sacrifice his ordinary bnsiiie-s. submit his car to abuse by tackling roads and conditions to which lie would not submit for his own private pleasure. In my own case 1 found that the sacrifice of business. depreciation of car. and effect on health was just as much a- 1 cou'd stand, and so dread the possibility of having to repeat the strain, let alone the risk to health and the possibility of taking the dread disease home to my wife and children. Therefore, one'- fcHing of resentment at his services being so casually

taken for granted may be understood. To make sure that my ease was not purely an oversight. I have questioned other workers, atnl find that they have been similarly ignored.—l am, etc., VOLUNTARY TRANSPORT WORKER.