SOLDIERS’ COMPLAINTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9257, 26 January 1916, Page 5

SOLDIERS’ COMPLAINTS

FURTHER REPLY TO DR. THACKER DEFENCE MINISTER QUOTES OFFICIAL REPORTS, “,Dr Thacker, M.P., has made charges against the Defence Department, and in doing so, has mentioned certain specific cases of allcgeU injustice to returned _ said the Defemdi Minister (Hon. r Allen') to a “New Zealand limes reporter yesterday. “He gave names and other details, and 1 have been able to secure information regarding the men ho mentioned. r “First there is the case of Geoigo Dibley, 12/1043. Dibley was recommended for discharge and civilian occupation by a medical board on January 14th. He complained that ho had no got his pay, a sum of £7 10s being owing to him. I find that this money was posted to Dibley on December 9th. He did not get it because ho had changed hia address and had omitted to inform the Dofenco Department of tho tact. Definite instructions have been given to all tho returned soldiers that they are to keep tho department informed cl thoir addresses, and if they fail to do «o the department cannot keep m touch with them. The Auckland Uslonce Office telegraphed on January 21st that the pay warrant had reached JJiblcy “Then Dr Thacker stated that Sydney Robert Phillips, 12/2081, a married man, had received only seven days pay since December. 'This soldier’s marriage has not been reported to Defence Headquarters. His attestation papers state him to be unmarried and give nl» sister as his noxt-01-kin. Ho has been recommended for discharge and mri* tian employment. He has been paid in full to January 7th, and the balance of his pay to February 4th has been forwarded to him by post. . .“Walter J. W. Thorpe, 12/1807, is Stated by Dr Thacker to have been unable to get any satisfaction from the Government medical authorities and to have been discharged on December 15th lacking some £6 of pay. Thorpo returned by the Tahiti, and was sent to the Auckland Hospital for treatment on September 11th. Later ho was 10moved to the Epsom convalescent home and reported as seriously ill there oh October 20th. A medical board gave him extended sick leavo to December 3rd. Ho was examined again on November 26th and recommended far discharge. The medical board reports that ho loft the Auckland Hospital contrary to instructions. Colonel Hope Lewis also twice examined this man and recommended his discharge. Ho was discharged on December 10th and the Pensions Board granted him an allowance of 25s weekly for throe months ns from that date. Thorpe has received all his pay except a sum of £2 hold pending tho arrival of accounts from the oversea depot in accordance with the rule laid down in the Returned Soldiers’ Manual. , '(Tho fourth case mentioned by Dr Tifacker. that of Charles Angrove, 12/884, has been dealt with by the Minister for Public Health.” / The Minister for Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) stated ‘yesterday that ’ he had received a further communication from Dr Herbert, the medical officer in. charge of tho''Rotorua camp, regarding the case of Charles Angrove *T am informed that Angrove loft for Auckland on the 20th, not the 18tb, stated the doctor. “(Otherwise the fact* are as stated yesterday. Angrore wont in company with another man, Whom I also reported as absent Without leave.”