MEDICALLY UNFIT RETURNED MEN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23945, 12 May 1943, Page 2

MEDICALLY UNFIT RETURNED MEN

PROGRESS MADE WITH DISCHARGE “Considerable progress has boon made in connexion with the discharge’ of men who have returned from overseas and who are classed as medically unfit for active service.” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), interviewed yesterday. “The procedure adopted.” he said, "has been for the cases of these men to be reviewed, with few exceptions, in the order of their return to New Zealand. The review is carried out by a special Medical Board. Up to December 15 last the men concerned numbered approximately GOOO. To dale, the files of "three-quarters of this number have been examined by the board, and it is expected that the inquiry will be completed towards the end of this month. The cases of those who have returned since December 15 will then be considered. “These men are graded 111 P- and the total number so far discharged, including Grade IV men who are permanently unfit for active service, is roughly 3000. When discharge is decided the men affected arc notified and Base Records sends them warrants for deferred pay. Discharges are deferred in the cases of men who in the view of the Medical Board may be graded higher than 111 P. “The issue of parchment certificates of discharge, to which discharged men are entitled, is being made as expeditiously as possible although it will be some time before this obligation is fulfilled. It is agreed that discharged men should receive these certificates at the earliest possible date, but pending their receipt the men should suffer littic embarrassment seeing that they have received notices of discharge and their deferred pay warrants.’’