COMPLAINT INVESTIGATED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16796, 12 March 1918, Page 6

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATED.

VOLUNTEER CLERKS' POSITION. In the Heraid of January 8 appeared a letter under the heading "Volunteer Clerks," and signed " One Who Waited," complaining of the treatment by the Defence Department of citizons who volunteer to help the staff in the clerical work on arrival of invalided soldiers in Auckland. The letter was brought to the notice of the Minister for Defence, who obtained a report on the matter from the Department. The report, which is signed by Colonel Tate for the general officer commanding the forces, states.— " The complaints sot forth are to a certain extent correct. A considerable delay was experienced afte'r the .tender had got alongside the transport. This was due to the following _ reasons:—(l) The port health officer did rtot clear the ship as quickly as might have been expected. He did not comply with the instructions received from tho director of base records through tho public health authorities, i.e., that lie should occupy the saloon or the smoking-rbom for his work. The port health officer took up a position in the middle of the main stairway of the ship. It was necessary for the voluntary staff to proceed up this gangway to get to the place where they were intended to work. The port health officor insisted that nobody should be allowed to pass until he had finished his work, which took longer than has been experienced on previous occasions, causing considerable delay. (2 No arrangements had been made on board prior to the vessel anchoring, for tho ' accommodation of tho voluntary staff in connection with the boarding, etc. It was only after considerable trouble that the third-class saloon was available for this work.

" With regard to the second complaint, on the question of meals, it has always before been found possible to make arrangements on board for the feeding of the voluntary staff by the ship, but owing to the number of passengers and troops on board the one in question, some 900 all told, it was found impossible to arrange to feed the voluntary staff. It was consequently necessary to send ashore to obtain food; this was done, and a very satisfactory meal was provided for all. There were no complaints received on board the vessel on this score. From information obtained locally it would appear that the complaint in question emanated from one person only. The statement that the Assistant-Adjutant-General was approached by a deputation to obtain food is quite incorrect. " Regret has already been expressed to district headquarters, Auckland, by the voluntary staff, that such utterances were made public."