IN THE LAST WAR
(To the Editor.)
Sir, —I presume that Mr. Glover's remarks recently made concerning conditions at the Trentham Camp during the Great War apply equally to the Featherston Military Camp Hospital. If my presumption is correct I think that the statement is an unwarranted aspersion on the splendid nurses and doctors—not forgetting the male orderlies—who gave their skill and tireless attention to the sick. I was a member of the N.Z.E.F. and met with an accident to my foot which unfortunately turned to blood poisoning. It was a very serious and urgent case and all the skill and attention possible were necessary to save my leg and possibly my life. An operation was performed, certainly not under modern theatre conditions, and was successful. No word or action of mine could express the sincere and deep gratitude I owe to all those fine people who cared for and attended me during my lengthy stay in the hospital. I can assure Mr. Glover that no better skill or attention could have been given anywhere, not even in these wonderful Utopian days. As proof I sailed from New Zealand fit and well and
have never since felt any ill. effects. Doubtless I am only one of some hundreds ,who had a similar experience.
Surely the people of New Zealand, especially the old Diggers of 1914-18, are getting just a little tired. of the belittling remarks made on all sides by members of the Labour Party of the efforts of those who steered this country through those trying times of 20 odd years ago. New Zealand soldiers were proclaimed to be amongst the finest in the world, particularly in stamina, so the general conditions could not have been so bad after all. When this war ends we shall then be in a position to make comparisons, though comparisons of this nature are invidious, but in the.meantime let. us get on with the job, with a little less chatter about how badly things were done in 1914-18 and how perfect we do them in 1939.—1 am, etc.,
W. P. McGOWAN.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1939, Page 12
Word Count
348IN THE LAST WAR Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1939, Page 12
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