MILITARY MEDICAL BOARDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 20

MILITARY MEDICAL BOARDS

DR THACKER'S CHARGES.

COMPLAINTS OF INStJLTING

CONDUCT.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 9

A Court of Inquiry was opened this morning and sat throughout the day to investigate charges mado by Dr H. T. J. 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 dono duty in the Canterbury military district.

The members of'the court were:—Major A. E. Loach (Reserve of Officers), president; Captain F. H. Salter (Reserve of Officers), Major F. G. Gibson (New Zealand Medical Corps), Captain W. Irving (New Zealand Medical Corps), and Captain F. J. Osborne-Smith (Ist Canterbury Regiment). After the court had been formally opened, the President said that the court had been convened primarily for the purpose of enabling Captain Thacker to justify statements made in tho following telegram sent by him to the Minister of Defence:—"Four military medical examiners here are insulting in their remarks to recruits. Please see that this is stopped at once." The allegations were very wide in their character and effect on the officers of the New Zealand Medical Corps who were still doing duty in the district. ' The president pointed out to Captain Thacker the necessity of outlining specific charges in tho court, with the names of the officers concerned, and the place, date, and time of the occurrences, if possible, in order that a full opportunity might be given to tho officers concerned to bo present and to hear the evidence, to give evidence, to cross-examino witnesses, or to call evidence on their own behalf. Secondly, the inquiry was convened to hear any charges made against any military medical board which had done duty in the Canterbury military district. Ho suggested th~t Captain Thacker should hand in a list of his witnesses, and also a list of his charges, and that afterwards tho court should call for other witnesses. This would five the court an idea of what it had to o.

After some discussion regarding tho scope of the. Inquiry and tho payment of witnesses, tho President said that justice would bo done. Further, all statements made by witnesses were absolutely privileged, even if mado with malice. Evidence was then called.

Jerome'M'Anulty (farmer, Methven) said ho had been under Dr Thacker for six or seven years for renal bleeding. When he attended the medical examination at Ashburton on December 3 he presented a certificate to the medical officer, and told him of his complaint. The officer (Lieutenantcolonel Ewart) opened, the certificate, glanced down it, and said: "H'm' Thacker!" He passed it to the other officers, saying, "Look. Thacker." Then he said to witness, "Look, this is no good to us at all. It's us that are testing you, not Thacker." Tho officer picked up the certificate again, and seemed to sneer at it. and kept repeating, l: 3oems to bo specific." Witness said the oßsc&r did not really examine his kidneys, and ho took exception to tho hostile nature and offensive attitude of Dr Ewart to tho certificate.

In cross-examination, witness said the medical officer's whole attitude was insulting, and he considered it was worth making a complaint about. Ernest William Webb (farmer, Rakaia) said ho saw the officer pass the certificate to the other doctor, and exclaim, "Thacker iieems to bo speoific." He also heard the doctor say, "It is not Thacker who is examining you. It is us." Witness left M'Anulty in tho room, and as he came out ho said to M'Anulty, "I think they gave you a pretty rough spin." Lieutenant-colonel William Ewart, N.Z.M.0., giving evidence in rebuttal, said a good many certificates were produced to tho medical boards. In his experience, moro came from one medical practitioner than from any other. They had come markedly, more from, Dr Thacker than from

other medical practitioners. His examination of M'Anulty differed from that of other reservists only in the length of time it took to examine him. "Witness gave him a thorough examination, and gave much more time to his case than was usual. He emphatically denied that at any time was he insulting to M'Anulty, who appeared aggrieved throughout, and was antagonistic in his manner to witness alt the time. He further denied saying "H'm! Thacker," but might have said "Yes" or "H'm! from Dr Thacker." M'Anulty appeared to resent witness not accepting Dr Thacker's certificate a 6 an excuse for classing him 02 without further examination.

Samuel Cooper (reservist, Christchurch) said he went to Dr Thacker because he had been hurt arid insulted at his medical examination in Christchurch on November 13. He was just about again after being laid up nearly eight months with a broken leg, and the examining doctor told him to hop on it. Witness said ho couldn't, but made an attempt, which caused him pain. The officer said, "I want none of your damned nonsense here. You can hop on it better than that. The leg's Btrong enough." Witness identified Dr Ewart as the medical man concerned. Lieutenant-colonel Ewart: I don't remember anything at all about it.

Witness said the maner in which Dr Ewart spoko to and swore at him was worth complaining • about. It was not' so much the word "damn" as the general offensive manner which he complained about. Dr Thacker wanted the' 1 medical members of the board to examine the leg, but Major Gresson, representing the Defence Department, said there was no necessity-, the complaint being against the alleged insult, and not against the medical classification., Dr Ewart, called by Major Gresson,. said he did not remember Cooper at all, but he did not think the account he had given of his examination a likely one. He had never used such language to any recruit. Captain. G, M. Lester, N".Z.M.C, who was with Dr Ewart at the examination of Cooper, said he did not hear the language aliened 'to have been used. Herbert Francis Wood (reservist, Christchurch), who had been a patient of Dr Thacker's for over three years, suffering from rheumatism and acute sciatica, said he was medically examined about November 10. He handed Dr Thacker's certificate to Captain Lester, who passed it mi to Dr Ewart. "After waiting half an hour," said the witness, "I came before him, and ho asked me if I had been attended by any doctor. I told him he had just read my doctor's certificate. He asked mo how Dr Thacker could attend me when he was in Wellington in Parliament. I told him that it must bo a queer kind of Parliament, because Dr Thacker had attended me every day except Sundays. Dr Ewart asked mo what treatment my doctor had given mo, and I replied, 'Electric treatment and massage. Dr Ewart said, 'Humph, that's a nice kind of treatment,' in .1 sneering way. I told Dr Ewart that I went to Hanmer on my doctor's orders, and he replied, 'Humph, that's a nice plp.ee to pro to.' "

Witness added that ho complained to Dr Thacker about the H'ay he had been treated.

Dr Ewart. oalled.. said ho remembered examining Wood, whose view that ho (witness! discounted the certificate was not a correct one. There was nothing in the whole examination to account for the attitude taken up by Wood, and witness could not understand it. He denied that ho had ever criticised tho treatment by other doctors to recruits.

The President asked if anyone else In the room had any complaints to make against the conduct of the military boards in Canterbury, and several men stepped forward and handed in their names.

The court then adjourned till Thursday. Tanuary 10. The Military Court of Inquiry sat again to-day.

J. Gresson, president of the Second Division League, applied for leave to produce evidence from Second Division reservists who were dissatisfied with their medical classification, but the court declined, holdinc that the matter did not come within the soope fif the inquiry,

Captain E. P. Pridham, of Wanganui, desired to tender evidence regarding the conduct of tiie Wellington and Otago Medical Boards, but the board held it had no jurisdiction. Wiliani Alfred Patrick Mills (Chiristchurch) complained that lie had not been properly examined by the C2 Special Examination Board. Ho held that he had not been properly classified, and the board had not taken into consideration that ho suffered from rheumatism. He had been classed CI.

Lieutenant-colonel Gimn and Major G. R. Blnckett, N.Z.M.C, .said the examination of 'Mills was thorough, and his rheumatism had been taken into account.

Robert William Ellis, whose complaint was similar to the last one, added that ho had complained to the assistant director of Medical (Services. He was advised to place his case before the officer commanding the district.

The court declined to hear the grievance of G. L. Ostler, who alleged negligence on the part of the Medical Board in the case of a reservist.

The complaints of Privates E. S. Jonesand B. Peters were, also niled out, as being complaints of wrong-fid classification. They were outside the order of reference.

A. M. Poison said his complaint was against the Director of Medical Services and that officer's assistant. .The President ruled it out as not within the scope of the inquiry.

Tho essence of Henry Emanuel's complaint was that he had not boon thoroughly and properly examined, and that the medical examiners had not taken enough trouble over his case.

„Dr Foster, called by the complainant, said he had examined Emanuel, who was suffering from chronic p rostra titis. Captain Lester, N.Z.M.C, said that the complaint was not fully examined, as he took Dr Foster's certificate as sufficient proof of the man's particular condition. In the case of Bugler Burrows, called by Dr Thacker, Major Gressdn, representing the Defence Deaprtment. contended that it concerned the Assistant Director of Medical Services, and that that official did not come under the heading of medical boards or medical officers. The court decided to take the case.

Major Grosson protested against having to go on, in view of the short notice, and asked for an adjournment till Satin-day at least. This case wa-s the most serious of all so far.

Dr Thacker said he was agreeable to an adjournment if he could get a, witness from Awapuni. He wanted the case given every publicity, as he intended to ask the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward to grant a royal commission into the whole question of military medical conduct. Lieutenant-colonel Mac Gibbon. Assistant Director of Medical Services, rose and protested against Dr Thacker being allowed to play to the gallery in that manner. "This man," he said, "has reflected on my conduct in Parliament under the cloak of privilege, and has also made statements against me in this court. I intend to protect myself, and I shall seek my remedy in the Supremo Court if necessary." The court adjourned till Saturday. January 12.

The inquiry into Dr Thacker's charges against Military Medical Boards in the Canterbury district was resumed this afternoon, when the president (Major Loach) stated that the court was prepared to proceed with the case of Bugler Burrows. Advice had been received, however, thatLanoeeorporal Elder, who was in Awapuni Camp, was totally unfit for sea travelling, and he would therefore be unable to attend to give evidence.

Mr H. D. Acland intimated that he appeared for Lieutenant-colonel MacGlbbon, N.Z.M.C. Dr Thacker said that Elder's evidence was absolutely essential to Burrows's case. The President: Your charge is confined to an insult by Lieutenant-colonel' MacGibbon. That is the sum and total of it, and what we want to know is what Elder will bring forward to establish, the allegations contained in this charge. After considerable argument and an adjournment, the President said that as the case before the court was a charge that Lieutenant-colonel Mac Gibbon had insulted Bugler Burrows in the Royal Exchange Building on May 12, and as Lance-corporal Elder was not then present, his evidence could not be considered direct, and therefore was not admissible.

Dr Thacker then asked for an adjournment for Burrows to get counsel, and after further argument the President said that if Burrows wished to be represented by counsel, and made a formal application to the court for it, the court would adjourn his case till Monday at 10 a.m.

Dr Thacker said that as the counsel would probably be Mr Sk'errett, K.C., of Wellington, it might be impossible for hirn to be ready by Monday. "You have some of the best material in Christchurch here," he said, "and we must have corresponding stuff." Major Gresson, representing the Defence Department, said he wanted to make it clear. that if Burrows was represented by counsel Captain Thacker would have no standing. The President: That is the decision of the court. January 14. The Court of Inquiry convened to investigate charges made by Dr Thacker and others regarding the conduct of members of military medical boards which have done duty in the Canterbury district continued its sittings to-day. Major Loach presiding. When the case" of Bugler William Horace Burrows was called on, Dr Thacker produced a certificate showing that Burrows was too ill to attend. The court conferred, and it was decided that the medical members of the court should examine Burrows. After an adjournment the officers reported that Burrows had sufficiently recovered to attend the court or to give evidence at his homo, and the court adjourned thereto.

In a statement on oath. Bugler Burrows said he enlisted voluntarily, and went to camp with the Twenty-fourth Reinforcements on January 5 last year. On the 21st he was granted five days' sick leave, and on the last day of his leavo he went to Lieutenant-colonel Mac Gibbon, assistant director of medical services in Canterbury, who said, "Oh, what's the matter with you? Have you got a tired fit?" Witness told him that he was going back to camp that night, but wanted nim to examine his chest. Dr Mac Gibbon did so, and gave him four extra days' leave. At its expiration witness consulted Dr Thacker, who examined him. Witness was told that his left sido had suffered from in the past, and that he was threatened with a_ sudden breakdown and an attack of phthisis. Dr Thacker gave hiin, a. certificate to Surgeon-

general Henderson, who said ho should not have been passed, and gave him a letter for tho commandant at Awapuni Camp, re* commending his immediate discharge. Witness went before tho Medical Board, but no action was taken. lie was again taken ill in camp, and told to report to Colonel Fy/fe for treatment. On reaching Wellington ho communicated with Dr Fyffe, whq said ho had no word from Awapuni about witness, and could not see him that day aS he was oif duty. Being almost penniless, witness accepted a loan from a stranger, and came on to Christahurch, arriving on Sunday, March 11. Next day ho saw Da Tliacker, and reported to headquarters, being told by Captain Northcote that ho would be treated as a .deserter. He wag arrested on May 10 as a deserter, and lodged in the harness room at the bar-< lacks. Ho was subsequently taken to Dr Mac Gibbon, who let him out on condition that he did not go near Dr Thacker. Witness promised not to, but broke his promise, with the result that he was treated as a criminal while on parole. On tho Monday he was reported by Dr Blackmore as fit tQ travel, and left for Wellington that night under escort. Before departing Dr MaoGibbon said to him, "You are going to bei put out of the way altogether, and do not! let me hear any more of this Thacker business. He has been writing up to headquarters in Wellington and kicking up a devil of a row." Witness was in the military ward in tho Wellington Hospital foB a fortnight, and was then taken to camp and charged with desertion, tho charge being dismissed. Finally, he was put on leave without pay, and for four or five month? had been a charge upon friends and relatives.

Witness was cross-examined at length by, the representative of tire Defence Depai-t----ment and Mr Acland, counsel for Dr MacGibbon

In rebuttal, evidence was given that Burrows -was released from military detention in Christchurch on Dr Mac Gibbon's orders, and was not insulted by Dr Mac Gibbon. The President (to Dr Thaeker, who had! inquired of a witness if the detention cell had been the harness room) : I give you fair warning that I will close the inquiry if you go on with questions regarding the* detention cell. You are doing nothing herei but noting a piece of buffoonery, and you are simply playing to the gallery. Dr Mac Gibbon deposed that he had never insulted Burrows or threatened him with' solitary confinement. Ho may have tola him not to visit Dr Thaeker, which ho was perfectly justified in doing. The court adjourned till the following! day. DR THACKER ASKS FOR ROYAL COMMISSION. CHRISTCHURCH January 11. Dr Thaeker, M.P., has addressed a letter to the Prime Minister asking the Government to set up a Royal Commission to take evidence as to the methods and complaints thereon of Medical Boards'examination of reservists and the medical treatment of soldiers in camp, on leave, and their trea-tment when given extended leave without pay. He says reservists are being 1 sent into camp and retained for a few dayd then given extended leave without pay. These men are still uncertain as to their military future, and there is thus an enormous wasto of public money. Mr Massey says the matter is one for consideration by Cabinet.