SOLDIER MENTAL PATIENTS

Evening Star, Issue 17482, 13 October 1920, Page 7

SOLDIER MENTAL PATIENTS

FURTHER. DISCUSSED

DOCTOR RESIGNS FROM R.S.A,

i The recent remarks made by a member I of the executive committee of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association in regard to the alleged wrongful committal of returned soldiers to Seacliff Mental Hoa> pital were the subject of discussion last evening at a meeting of tho executive. The subject was introduced by a letter from the Minister of Defence, a telegram from the NZ R.S.A., and a-letter from Dr Gray, of Seacliff, in which ho asked the executive to accept his resignation as a_ member of the . association. Dr. T Harrison was in the chair. ht^ T oi De fenoe (Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) wrote acknowledging: receipt of the association's letter on tho B ubf 4 :. *£ 1 3P ] y i *2 a question put to him by Mr C. E Statham, he had promised to look into these matters, and when furnished with the necessary information to make a statement on the subject in the House, men that was done ho would Da pleased to communicate with tiie association again. A letter was also received from Dr T* It. Gray,, of Seacliff Mental Hospital, who stated, inter alia: "At the last meatfng of your executive committee, as, reporte! m the local Press, a member named .Tones made the statement that he ' had tried to ascertain the attitude of tho mental hospial authorities towards the returned' soldiers, but had failed. An official deputation from the association made a visit to beacliff, were courteously received and given every facility to converse with the returned soldier patients. Thy expressed themselves as- perfectly satisfied with what they saw, so much "so that by direction of the executive the secretary weote a letter of thanks and appreciation. After passing some sever© remarks on tho members of the executive, the writer went on to say_ that the R.S.A. had outlived their usefulness, and were now >'beins conducted by a coterie of irresponsible nonentities. I return herewith," be concluded, the badge of what was onge an Honorable and useful organisation." The secretary also read a telegram from headquarters of the N.Z.R.sI., which asked "Ifoll details revelations soldier mental patients urgently To this the secretary had replied': "Dunedk association unable to reveal at present; =>t4l making inquiries." SpeakingJn regard to Dr Gray's resignation, Mr W. Clarke suggests! that the resignation bo accepted. The Chairman said that Mr Jones h&A made certain statements, and they as an executive had passed certain motions. not turn down the accusations tm they knew if they were true or L , , th , ou e ht taeir attitude in tie matter had been made perfectly clear in the papers. He was of opinion that D? Gray should be asked to withdraw certain remarks mads in his letter. Mr Jones said it was evident Dr Gray was not ponversant with the association at all. Personally, he did not mind the sarcasm in the letter. Mr Calvert said the proper course was to write to Dr Gray and ask him to withdraw his remarks. He thought that if the doctor understood that they were in, the positon of haying only one side of a case he_ would realise that they could do notning else but hold an inquiry. As a member of the executive, he objected to the doctor's remarks. It was only a gentleman suffering from a very ser\ras sense of wrong who would make such remarks, and if the position was properly explained to Dr Gray he was incline'd to think they would receive an apology. The Chairman expressed himself as surprised at such a letter. Mr Calvert said he took exception to tie fact that the executive had been charged with being "a coterie-of irresponsible nonenities." That was hardly the way to describe a body of men who had no other idea than that of advancing tho cause of the returned soldier. He would niovo that they write and ask Dr Gray to withdraw his* remarks. Mr Jones seconded. Mr Clarke was of opinion that they should demand withdrawal. So far they had made no direct accusation against' any conco ™ od in Seacliff or outside". All they had asked for was an inqniry mto certain statements made by a member of the committee. They should demand very strongly that Dr Gray withdraw his statements. Ho moved an amendment accordingly. Mr J. K?* M'Nißh seconded the amendment.

Mr J. W. Smeaton gave notice to move as a further amendment that the letter be simply received. If a man called them names there was no reason to make a face about it. Certain accusations had been made by a member of the executive in regard to the administration of Seacliff. What the accusations were ho was not aware. Certainly Dr Grav was in an invidious position, and would feel a bit sore; but because he called them names I Vf r Smcaton ) <*' d not think thev should demand an apology. Mr Clarke's amendment was put to the meeting and lost.

Mr Smeaton moved as a further amendment that the letter be.simplv received. Mr C. R. Murray seconded" and on the amendment being put to the meeting it was lost by tho chairman's casting vote. Mr Calvert's motion that Dr Gray be written to, have the position explained to him, and asked for an apology was carried.

Mr Jones then suggested that a deputation should wait on the O.C. Military District to see if he had made any inquiries into the matter. Mr Smeaton said he took it that before Mr Jones made his allegations he had convinced himself that he would be able to substantiate his statements. Person-' ally, he was quite in the dark as to' what the allegations consisted of. It would bo rather anomalous for them to wait on th,c local branch of the Defence Office to ask for information when Mr Jones was supposed to have the information. He took it that Mr Jones had fully verified his information. If lie had not, then he would place the association in a very awkward position. j, Mr Calvert 6 atd ffiey had come to a stage at which he felt thev could wait no longer They had asked" for information a fortnight ago, and still it was- not forthcoming. They were there presumably to hold an inquiry, ana the matters thoy were to inquire into were, held by Captain Jones. He ("Mr Calvert) thought thev should have Mr Jones's charges now. He was inclined to think, from inquiries made on his own behalf, that it would be a case of dropping tho matter. Ho took it that, unless Mr Jones had misled them very seriously, he would be able to give them full information.

Mr Jones said he wanted to be quite candd. He felt that every member of the association ought to do his best to'supporfc the charges. He wanted to be emphatio about the position. He had evidence, and that evidence would be produced at tho right time. Mr Clarice said ha understood that Mr Jones would bo prepared to giv« all his information when replies came from the department. He would suggest that they give the department one week to reply, and if no reply was received then mat they hold a special meeting. They could net wait indefinitely, but must force a reply from the department-. The Chairman said he did not think the committee knew to a full extent what was Mr Jones's knowledge. He thought Mr Jones should now take tho committee into his confidence. Before they committed themselves very deeply, the members' should know more of the matter. If they had to "climb down," they would find themselves in an awkward position. They were quite entitled to obtain the information which should be given in answer to their questions to the department, 'Mr Clarke moved that the department be given a week to reply, and that n special meeting bo held next Tuesday evening. » Mr M'Nish seconded. Mr Calvert moved, as an amendment, that Mr Jones be asked to -supply, his information ■foxt'hwith.

Mr iSmeatcru seconded tlria amendment. He considered that the members "were en> titled to Mr Jones 3 information. Mr Jones 6aid he was not in a position that night to give his information. He had given a "promise 'that he would give this information when replies were received, but was not prepared to do ae yet. The amendment was fast, and *Mr' Clarice's motion was carried. It was further decided, on the motion of Mr Clarke> 4 that Mr Jones table feia information at the meeting to be held nest Tnesday evening.