WORK OF MEDICAL BOARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9871, 17 January 1918, Page 5

WORK OF MEDICAL BOARDS

BEQUEST FOB INQUIRY BY ROYAL COMMISSION.

'.During the sitting in Christchurch last week of the Court of Inquiry which was convened to investigate the charge made bv Dr Thacker. .M.P. (a captain in the reserve of officers. New Zealand Medical Corps), and others in respect to the conduct of members of the Military Medical Boards which have done duty in the Canterbury military distric . I)t Thacker intimated that he was going to carry the matter further. He said that he intended’ to ask the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward to grant. a Royal Commission into the whole question of military medical conduct. He has since written to the Ministers named in the following terms: — “I hereby request you and the Nn'tlonal Government to set up a. Royal Commission to take evidence as to tin methods and complaints thereon Of military medical examinations of reservists. the medical treatment of soldiers in camp, and thei rtreatment when given extended leave without pay. “Absolutely impossible reservists are being sent in camp, retained a few days or weeks, and then given extended leave without pay; and still uncertain of their military future. This is an enormous waste of expenditure quite unnecessary to the country, besides the men’s homo*. and business connections havo hften broken up, another large loss. Please give this matter your earliest attention and consideration ■ and oblige.—Yonrs very truly, Henry T. J. Thacker.”