SOLDIERS ON THE TAHITI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16025, 17 September 1915, Page 10

SOLDIERS ON THE TAHITI.

Sir.—l think it my duty, and in the interest of wounded soldiers who ma} yet come to New Zealand, to bring the following facte to light. The Tahiti, when the wounded men went on board, was in a very dirty state. The first order given was for fatigue parties to clean ship. Now, I would emphasise the fact that these fatigue parties were soldiers who were all suffering from wounds and illness, or, of course, they would not have been there. I in no way blame ti.e doctors, as I believe it was under protest they sanctioned the fatigue parties. i know for a fact that one man was ordered to hospital after having been on fatigue duty. Then, again, how should convalescent soldiers be fed The rations were ordinary troopship rations, perhaps a little be'ow the usual scale. Do the public of New Zealand, who are so liberally subscribing for comforts for their wounded, realise the hardships these men suffer so unnecessarily on the voyage home? It is at this stage, in my opinion, that our boys have earned, and would appreciate, the comforts for which the country has found the money. The soldiers are unanimous in their praise and appreciation of the self-sacrificing services rendered by the nurses; and medical staff. The question is. Cannot the above-mentioned defects be avoided in future?

Father of Rettjrxxd Wottxdeb Soldier.