NO NEGLECT

Evening Star, Issue 22033, 20 May 1935, Page 12

NO NEGLECT

MAYOR'S ALLEGATION REFUTED MUON HELP GIVEN EX-SERVIGEMAN Indignation was expressed in many quarters this morning at the impression created by a statement made f by the mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) at the charity concert in the Town Hall on Saturday night, when he referred to the plight of an ex-serviceman. In appealing for help for “ destitute cases ” in the city, the mayor instanced the case of an ex-soldief whom he had seen, and whose bedding and bed clothes, he said, were in a sorry condition. It made his blood run cold, said Mr Cox, to know that a man who had served in , three wars and who had such an array of medals and decorations should be'left in such a sorry plight. -All that a grateful country provided this man, commented the mayor, was 10s a week through an organisation of his excomrades.

The allegations of neglect by the mayor brought forth' numerous protests this morning from various organisations which have been in touch with the case for some considerable tinie. Many protests having been received at the office of‘the Returned Soldiers’ Association from those who knew that a great deal had been done to assist the man,; the secretary (Mr 0. L. Ferens) was instructed to make a statement to the Press. Before making the statement the secretary communicated with the mayor by telephone to verify the name of the man, and then enlightened Mr Cox in regard to what had been done in the case by the R.S.A. and by many other organisations in the city. " The man referred to by the mayor has been well known to the association for many years,” said the secretary. “In 1931 it was reported that the man was classified as unfit to work under No. 5 scheme, and that he was only able to do the lightest class of „ work. The committee decided to place him on the Chisholm Park job for two days a week at l2s 6d a week. On many occasions it was reported to the office that, he was not able' to work, but ; he was still paid that amount, despite the fact ..that lie had not worked. In June, 1932, it was definitely agreed that the man was not able to work, and it was decided to grant a payment of 10s a week, an amount which has been' paid up to the present day. “ For some time the man was a patient in hospital, and while he was there he was seen by _ the lady visitor of the R.S.A., who every Monday visits all ex-soldier patients in the institution, his wants being attended to as far as possible. The Hospital- hostess (Miss M‘Nab) represents the St. John Ambulance Association, which is also watchful of the interests • of returned men in hospital. “ When the patient left the hospital about eight or nine months ago the R.S.A. • arranged for, a doctor to visit him. Medicines were ■ ordered, but the wife of the man flatly refused to carry out the doctor’s instructions, and gave him “ quack ” medicines. After some months the doctor informed the association that it was useless for him to attend, as the wife would not carry out his instructions. The man is suffering 'from a serious illness, diagnosed in the hospital, but the wife refuses to accept the medical diagnosis. ,“ The lady visitor of the .association has frequently called at the home, and the association has assisted by the supply of groceries and other things. Nor was the man forgotten when liberal Christmas hampers were distributed by the association last year. Ho has also been visited on many occasions, by the Rev. Bryan King, and nearly every organisation in the city has helped in the case. “ Last year the St. John Ambulance Association very generously purchased a hospital bed of a special type which enables the patient to, recline ip bed in a sitting' position with more comfort than the ordinary bed allows. For nearly 12 months male members of the St. John Ambulance have twice daily called at the house to assist the wife in making the bed and shifting the patient. The nurse of the St. John Ambulance also calls'periodically at the house, and as recently as last Friday reported that she had,called. “Oh Poppy Day the president of the South African Veterans’ Association informed me that a gentleman connected with another social/organisation had supplied the' man with tobacco, and that amount has been; refunded by the R.S.A. The president of the South African Veterans’, Association also wishes to refute the statement that the man has been neglected. “The mayor has been informed 'That the man is in receipt of a - war disability pension of £1 a week, plus an economic pension of £1 Is, and, with the 10s granted by the R.S.A., has a total income of £2 11s a week. The R.S.A. made every endeavour to have the pension increased, but it was held; that the present condition was not attributable to war service, a letter of February, 1934 j in my possession, conveying that information. '

“ Assistance has, been given to the man by the Otago Patriotic Association, which on one occasion supplied liim with a, set of \artificial teeth. The mini, - who is now over 60, was employed at the - Exhibition in 1925-26, and his record shows that several pub-lic-minded ditizens set him up in a small business at the close of the Exhibition. "

“ The action of the mayor in giving publicity, not only'at the concert but also through the much wider agency of 4YA, 1 without first making-inquiries of the association and other organisations, is most unusual,” said Mr Ferens. “ It is to be hoped that 4YA will take the necessary steps to correct the impress sion made by the mayor that the man was neglected and left practically destitute. As the man is a citizen as well as'a'returned soldier, it vyould be interesting to know if anything has been done by the various organisations sponsored by the mayor. The man and his wire, definitely refuse that he should go :o hospital.”