RED TAPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20432, 12 June 1928, Page 13

RED TAPE.

INHUMAN METHODS. CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ACCUSED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 1. From time to time much has been written, half in sorrow and half in anger, the red tape methods of Government departments, hut if the latest allegation against the Commonwealth Customs Department is true surely never before have these methods been calculated to have such disastrous results. It is said that the department was almost directly responsible for the death of Mr David Thomas, Manly’s best known and veteran medical man. A victim of the dreaded disease, pernicious ansemia. Dr Thomas has been kept alive for many months by means of transfusion of blood. More than 20 transfusions were administered, but while they were temporarily efficacious the patient began to sink, and the gravest consequences were feared. His medical adviser, as a last resort, decided to try liver extract made up Eli Lilly in America. A supply arrived in Sydney, but had not been passed by the Customs. The desperate condition of the patient having been impressed upon the Sydney firm which handles the extract, a special effort was made to induce the department to release the medicine without delay. The appeal fell on deaf ears. Dr Thomas’s condition became more critical. His doctor rang the firm day and night. So insistent was the doctor that one of the principals of the firm took a hand in the matter, but although the Customs authorities were acquainted with the seriousness of the position, they refused, it is said, to be put out of their customary stride, and a week elapsed before the extract was released. The application of the extract was followed by an immediate improvement in the condition of the patient. That was three weeks ago, when Dr Thomas was so low as to be helpless. He is now well enough to return to his home.