SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15649, 22 July 1916, Page 5

SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL.

. I DISTRIBUTION OF GIFT -j GOODS 1 (special to "the toess.") WELLINGTON, July 21. •

A question was asked in the House of Representatives by Mr T. M. Wilforti, in which he suggested that there was something improper in the action oT the New Zealand Army Authorities in charging against a soldier's pay tho cost of certain articles —a pipe, tobacco, cigarettes, and matches —received by him when he was in hospital in Egypt. t Lieut.-Golonel R. Heaton Rhodes, who went to Egypt to enquire on behalf of the Government into the distribution of gift goods and other matters, was asked by a reporter to state what the procedure was in Egypt in regard to the supply of these articles to soldiers in hospital. Colonel Rhodes said that the distribution of all gift goods, such as tobacco and cigarettes, to men in hospitals, was supervised by Adjutant Greene, of tho Salvation Army who did the work with the greatest care, fairness, and industry. He met every hospital ship on arrival, and visited every hospital to see that every man had his share oi gifts. But, in addition to gift goods, a man in hospital could spend up to 3s per week on such things as tobacco and cigarettes. All such expenditure was properly charged against the man's pay, and the practice was well understood bv tho men.