THE HOSPITAL SHIPS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15728, 23 October 1916, Page 9

THE HOSPITAL SHIPS.

MARAMA. AT PORT CBALMEBS

(raxs* ASSOCIATION TZLEGRAiI.) DUNEDIN, October 22. The New Zealand hospital ship Marama arrived at Port Chalmers this afternoon, bringing 167 6oldiers, 20 nurses, and a matron. There are thirteen cot cases, mostly wounded men. About ten of the men have lost a limb. Tho majority of tKo men on board were wounded in France. F. Rcdpath, of the Wellington Infantry Battalion, died on tho way out. Tho weather was rough between Durban and I'remantle, and'also yesterday. Tho Marama left Southampton on August 31st, and landed about 400 men in Australia. Speaking at the reception, Lord Liverpool said the Marama was next going to Bombay to pick up men from He had received letters from leading men in India expressing their thanks for the use of th© vessel. He had also received a letter from King George expressing hearty appreciation of the Ist and 2nd Battalions of tho New Zealand Rifle Brigade, which ho had inspected about six weeks ago. The Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence) said the Maheno and Marama had carried 33,860 wounded soldiers. Tho Canterbury men leave by tho second express to-morrow, and the North Islanders leave by tho Maori on Tuesday for Wellington direct. The following Canterbury men or men of th© Canterbury Battalion, are on board ,tho Marama: —Captain H. Saunders (Nelson), Lieutenant S. G. Bowrovi (Opawa), G.S.M.; SecondLieutenant J. Y. Davison (Culverden), Lance-Corporal J. O'H. Tobin (Christchurch), G. W. O'Sullivan (Blenheim), Privates "W. Duke (Rangiora), J. Grey (Christchurch), A. H. L. Hahn (Picton), S. W. Monson (Fendalton). Rifleman W. A. Smyth (Linwood), Sapper G. Rogers (Linwocd). AN EXPLANATION BY GENERAL SIR A. W. ROBIN. Referring to tho return to- Now Zealand of the hospital shitis. a Wellington paper recently pointed out that no the Marama. and the Maheno had proved so useful jn tho war zone it was strange they -should bp sent out here at such a time. Tho question was asked: 'Is the hospitals shins' return to New Zealand unavoidable, or is there somo dominant military reason for suspendinc their useful cross-Channel service?" It now appears from statements mado by the General Officer Commanding, that the New Zealand hospital ships, in conjunction with all other hospital ships,. are under tho joint control of the Admiralty and the War Office. Early in June the War Office informed the New Zealand Government that thev had arranged a scheme which thoy desired to carry into operation, whereby the Australian and New Zealand hospital ships should work togethor in carrving hack wounded to Australasia. Inhere aro a very largo number indeed of hospital ships fitted" in exactly tho same manner as those in New Zealand, which are being employed, and one of their duties, js to return wounded or sick overeea. soldiers to. their several lands It is absolutely essential, it is stated, that the hospitals in Great Britain shall bo cmntiod as soon as possible, and, further, tho medical authorities everywhere are, unanimous in asking for such a procedure. It is misleading to suppose that only coti cases, should; be sent in 'ships; there are many had cases which are not cot cases, and tho discretion a« to who are sent must be left to the medical authorities. It is pointed out that the New Zealand hospital ships have carried comparatively few New. Zealanders, hut they liavo taken their turn with. ■; the j other ships in the Tarious spheres :of ; operations, and while ships are continually being shifted, the ful] comple- ! rnent of ships at tho required spot is always being maintained. ■ In the present instance the Marama was to land JMI Australians. in the Commonwealth before coming here. Both ships will, it •i s stated, be fully utilised on their return journey to Great Britain.