OUR WOUNDED AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2615, 10 November 1915, Page 3

OUR WOUNDED AT HOME

WHAT IS BEING DONE FOB THEM. Some figures wave supplied by the •Defence Minister yesterday showing how luuch tho New Zealand Government is tking to'provide for our wounded soldiers in England. Mr. Allen said that the Mount Felix Hospital was being extended to accommodate 300 beds, its former capacity being 100. This ' work would cost £17,500. The total cost of maintenance for a year, including equipment, would be £45,000. Towards this tho Imperial Government would contribute at the rate of £14,000 per annum, the Governor had sent oiit of hospital fluids available £10,000,' tho New Zealand War Contingent Association in London proposed to give £3000, the New Zealand Government liad already sent £3000, and the balance of £15,000 would have to be found by the New Zealand Government.

In addition to this, Mr. Allen said !he had sent through, tho Treasury £4461, subscribed by.tlio people,.to the High Commissioner for .comforts for the New Zealand sick and wounded in England. Mr. Mackenzio had used 6omo ' £2000 of this for Mount Felix, but this would bo returned to the other fund, which'amounted now to some £2700. The Government were negotiating with tbe Higb Commissioner about assistance at some other hospitals/ One of these was a special hospital for men ■prlio had lost limbs. The Defence Department had agreed to pay for any artificial limbs with which New Zealand Iscldiers were supplied. The High Coniniissioner was also making some special contributions to a special convalescent camp at Weymouth. Mr. Mackenzie was also supplementing tile War Office 'allowance of uniform to our men in England, seeing that their .clothes were made'of good material, and that they were well'supplied with good warm underclothing and boots. Mr. Mackenzie had organised a special home for the Maoris, who' were receiving special attention. Mr. Allen said that an amount of £1034 had lately been sent for comforts, for the sick and wounded, this exhausted all the moneys available ■which the public had subscribed. He would be very glad if the people would subscribo more 'money, and send it to tho Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs.