SERGEANT HULME, V.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1942, Page 6

SERGEANT HULME, V.C.

COMPLAINT & REPLY

NOT DISCHARGED FROM ARMY

A complaint that he had. been discharged from the Army "as it had no further use for an experienced man" was made by Sergeant A. C. ..Hulme, V.C, in an interview at Rotorua. He said he had been medically boarded and advised by the doctor that he was lA.

Sergeant Hulme stated that he had only one interest above his home and that was to be iri the Army, but, in spite of all he had been promised by the Government officials, he was now thrown out for jio apparent reason.

Referring today to Sergeant Hulme's complaint, the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) said that Sergeant Hulme had not been "thrown out as the Army had no further use for an experienced man."

"The real position," said the Minister, "is that the latest medical board, held on December 15 last, declared that Sergeant Hulme was temporarily unfit for six months for any form of military duty and, in addition, recommended that he should undergo further treatment at the Rotorua Sanatorium. Much as the Army desires to utilise Sergeant Hulme's services at the earliest possible moment, his physical condition, according to competent medical opinion, is such that he may not be employed on Army work at present. When the treatment at the Sanatorium is completed, Sergeant Hulme will be re-examined, and, if found to be fit, will be posted for duty in such capacity as will enable the best use to be made of his past war experience and military training. "UNDER A MISAPPREHENSION." "It should be added that Sergeant Hulme is under a misapprehension if he thinks he has been ' 'discharged from the. Army.' He has merely been placed on leave without pay (in accordance with existing regulations) and is thus available to be called up immediately if he is found fit for military service. He has already been retained on Army pay and allowances for over three months (the maximum period allowable) since his return to New Zealand and, until he again comes on military pay, he will receive war pension and be adequately taken care of by the War Pensions Department. "We have -a job ready for Sergeant Hulme," concluded Mr. Jones, "and as soon as a medical board says he is fit to take it up, there will be no delay in making the appointment."