SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17040, 23 December 1918, Page 8

SOLDIERS' COMPLAINTS

MEN WHO HAVE LOST LIMBS.

TREATMENT BY GOVERNMENT. Many complaints regarding their treatmont by the Government were made at a, meeting held yesterday by a number of Auckland soldiers, whoso war injuries ! consist of the loss of a limb; about thirty men wore present. It was stated that there ' wta great delay ill securing a second j artificial limb, even by men who bad been home from the front for two years. Other men who were wounded at GaUipoli, and had been homo for a considerable time, reported that they had not been able to secure an artificial limb. In the case of those men who were minus a leg, if the artificial limb became (Alt of repair they were compelled to walk ' on crutches until the limb was repaired. i One man stated that he had sent an : artificial leg to Wellington to be repaired ; 10 weeks ago, and had not received any i answer as to whether the leg had been | received, or when the repairs would bo completed. ! It was stated that men were compelled 1 to travel to Wellington, to get their artificial limbs repaired, necessitating the loss ' of considerable time and money. No allow- j once was made for travelling expenses* the. ! Government merely paying the men's i board while in Wellington. Complaint.", were, also made in regard to the men being j compelled to supply renewals of stump, socks and other accessories, out of their j own pockets. ' { A further matter discussed was tha' | many men. who were minus a limb, could | not go back to their old employment, and j it was stated that nothing had been done by the Government to givo facilities to learn new trades, The men had been informed that if they obtained employment as ; iinder-rato workers, the Government would , make up the difference in money, in order that a living wage might be secured. Too . onus of finding employment was, however,, on the men, and the latter considered that; the Government should ascertain the class j of employment the men desired to take up. arrange 'for the necessary training, and find suitable employment," preferably Government petition*, if vacant. Details of the complaints made at the meeting are to bo forwarded to the Government bv the secretary of the returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. E. 1"'. Andrews.