A COMPLAINT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1940, Page 4

A COMPLAINT

POSITION OF ILL SOLDIER (Per Press Association—Copyright), OAMARU, September 25. ‘‘l think it is a dreadful thing that a soldier who lias gone into camp for' no other reason than ,to help his country should have to apply for sustenance,” said the Mayor of Oamp.ru (Mr L. J. K. Familton) at a meet- J ing of the North Otago Patriotic Controlling Committee. Mr Faniil- • ton was referring to a letter • received by the Returned Soldiers’ Association in which a soldier showed _| that lie went into camp fit and / well, came out ill with a pro- ! visional discharge, and had to apply for sustenance.

The Mayor said that a copy of the letter had been forawrded to tho Otagb Patriotic Council, the secretary of which had suggested that the Oamaru committee might make an allowance of £4 to the soldier until he was better.

Mr Familton said that he considered it was not right that this man should be penalised in pay and have to go on sustenance at £2 os-a week. A strong protest should be sent to the military authorities, as he .was satisfied that the soldier’s letter was correct in every detail On the motion of the Rev. Dr. T. Paterson, it was decided to protest x to the Minister for Defence (the Ho«. J F. Jones) at the treatment aecorued the soldier, anj to make representations to the Qtago Patriotic Council - ■/ to have the difference between the sustenance rate and the amount the soldier was receiving made up to him.

In his letter, which was attested, the soldier stated that he ivent into camp at Ngaruawahia on June 26, 1940, .and reported sick on July 18 or 19, when he received aspirin tablets. About fou,r days after he again reported sick,* stating that pains had kept him awake, and received the same treatment. The pains continued, and on July 26 lie had to go off parade. He ivent off parade on July 27 (Saturday) as it was a half-day.. Next day he was feeling \unwell, and could not eat. An ulcer burst about 2 p.m. on Sunday. The doctor ordered him into hospital and he was operated on that afternoon. Y.

The soldier stated that he was given?. a provisional discharge on August 26He had been paid up to August 23, and his wife had received a cheque,, for £2 12s on August 28. He had received no pay since. If lie was unfit at the end of 14 days from the date of his discharge he was to register for sustenance until lie was fit to go back to work. The sustenance rate was £2 os a week for his wfie, himself and two children.