UNSEEMLY CONDUCT

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9095, 14 July 1915, Page 10

UNSEEMLY CONDUCT

To' the Editor "N.Z. Times."

Sir--As a stranger to Wellington and to the House of Parliament, may I be permitted to express my surprise and disgust at the levity and callousness generally of the so-called Kefom members when the responsible Ministers are asked questions relative to the treatment ol sick and wounded soldiers. I was present this afternoon when several questions were asked, and I noticed that James Alien was very bomuasuc:in his replies, and M> Rhodes, who ds allegedly Minister for Public Health, in some cases actually insulting in his replies to questions asked- Dr. Thacker is evidently very sincere iu his desire to, see the men who are sick get proper medical treatment, and knows what he is talking a'bbut when he speaks of' possible bacteria in the various tents, .j e.c-. which arc u use ii a© infected camp, and deserves a courteous reply to his very pertinent questions. Mr Hornsby demanoeo from the Minister that the meat who were’ responsible for the mismanagement of affairs should be punished, but did not gv-, a straight ,answer. It does not stern c.-oss:ble to get a straight reply from either of the Ministers: they seem

,1V I i~• v y u.ae, gulll V nen sees * the smiles and 'hears the inane Kia-jfus iio;u Hr. l ornate, Mr liuick. Mr .N'osworthy, and other Government supnortevs when a question is aske-d in connection with the wounded and sek returning in the . Willochia, one cannot but conic ■to the concha-km that the matter is somewhat of a huge joke, which compels them to laugh. Sir, are these men a criterion of the members of the House of Representatives? If to, it is time that the people awoke to the fact that while they are giving their money, and their lives in many oases, to the cause of humanity these alleged legislators sit comfortably back in well upholstered seats and treat the consequences of wax (such os our wounded ■and dead) as a huge joke! Personally, I cannot find language to express my contempt for such politicians. With the lady who wrote to your paper a few days ago I say: "Thank God for such men as Dr. Thacker, who is not afraid bo say straight out that the two Ministers at least are incompetent to deal with the situation.” With Mr Hornsey, I say; "Punish these r-^pon-dble.”—l; am, etc., H. E. CUELINANE. Wellington. July 13th.