"DISGRACEFUL"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 36, 12 February 1943, Page 4

"DISGRACEFUL"

MEDICAL PREMISES

R.S.A. ON DRILL HALL

The conditions under which the medical examination of ' sick and wounded, and also of men called up for the forces is carried out in Auckland have been the subject of another protest to the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, by the Auckland R.S.A., and the executive at its meeting last night, presided over by Mr. J. W. Kendall, confirmed the action of the president in again writing to the Minister in an -endeavour to have improvements made.

Last August Mr. Kendall, accompanied bv the secretary of the association, Mr. Roy Mason, visited the premises used for the purpose, and after consultation with the executive a letter was sent to the area officer, Major Blackett, M.C., drawing attention to the unsuitability. of the arrangements for medical. inspection of sick and wounded. It was pointed out that the men had to ascend a narrow staircase and herd themselves in a most restricted space outside a counter, in a passage-way or on steps. About 150 men were ranged in a long queue, which, reached far outside the building. The association suggested that an entirely new and suitable building should be provided, which would be adequate for tne purpose or, as a temporary measure, that certain structural alterations be made to the existing building, or, alternatively, that a temporary building be erected adjacent to the military annexe. Nothing has been done to remove the grounds for complaint raised by the association, and yesterday Mr. Kendall again wrote to the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, drawing his attention to the fact that the conditions which prevailed in August still existed, and stating that many complaints were still being received concerning the unsatisfactory accommodation. "Many of the men who attend there," said Mr. Kendall, "are ill or. wounded, and the conditions are disgraceful. This, matter is of such importance that something should be done urgently, and I consider that it is sufficiently serious to justify my asking you to come to Auckland and inspect the premises personally. If you are ablS to do so, I would be very glad to go with you and point out the deficiencies of the whole scheme." A copy of the letter- sent in August to the area officer which Mr. Kendall said he had no doubt would have been forwarded to D.H.Q., was enclosed for the Minister's information.