BELATED NEWS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue XC, 7 October 1915, Page 4

BELATED NEWS

THE CASE OF CAPT. HOULKER. Replying to tho Hon. A. T. Maginnity's question regarding the delay in forwarding particular* of the wounding and death of Capt. Houlker, of Nelson, the Leader of the Legislative Council (Sir Frajicis Bell) 6fc«,ted yesterday that when a lapse of time occurred it was a subject of aa much regret by the Department and tho Government a^ by the parents and relatives. In tho present case, however, the news sent was correct in the first instance. The information the honourable gentleman received was that Capt. Houlker died on the hospital ship on luth August, and on 11th August notification was given of his death. It appeared that the hospital ship was not under the control of the New Zealand Government. Possibly thexe might have been come error, ajid the information that he had left wounded on that vessel was then communicated. # It was quite impossible to 1 avoid occasional lapses of the kind, especially when the wounded were sent on ships not under our control. Everything possible was being done for tbs. wounded, and though there was every desire to communicate information in order that it might be transmitted to relatives, the first duty was to the wounded. This was not a single instance. There were many such instances of delay in connection with wounded and sick in hospital 6hips. He had eveTy sympathy with the relatives of Capt. Houlker, but the hon. gentleman and they would, he knew, take the circumstances into consideration. It was the eajnest desire of the Department to give all information at tho earliest possible moment.