RUSSELL AND ALLEN

NZ Truth, Issue 683, 20 July 1918, Page 6

RUSSELL AND ALLEN

The pretty, little "differences of opinion" which, some time ago, existed between the Ministers of Defence and Public Health, do not appear to have altogether disappeared. Evidence of their perpetuation has recently been disclosed by the taking over of the Chalmers Ward at the local hospital, as an orthopaedic ward, by the Defence people. Some years ago, a philantrophlo lady, one Miss Janet Chalmers, made a handsome donation for the establishment of a ward for chronic invalids. This donation was assisted by the usual Government subsidy of 24s m tho pound, and, In due course, the handsome ward was completed. Por some months it has been m occupation of disabled soldiers. The other day, however, it was announced that the Defence Departm-ent had made an ar-, rangement with 1 the local Hospital' Board whereby the ward Is to be taken over for an indefinite period as an orthopaedic hospital, and it would appear that, m the framing 1 of this arrangement, the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister m Charge of Hospitals) was completely ignored, although his department had contributed the bulk of the money spent upon the building's erection and equipment. Mr. Russell has expressed himself aa having been taken completely by surprise when he learned that the building: was not to be used for the purpose for which It was Intended. There would be no objection, he said, on his part, If the tenure of the Defence Department waa to be only a temporary one; but, if It were proposed to use the ward during: the whole period for which soldier orthopaedio cases required treatment, full provision would have to be made for chronic invalids for whose use the building was designed. The publlo are awaiting with considerable Interest, as it Is suggested that influences- other than concern either orthopaedics or chronics have some bearing on the matter.