RETURNED TROOPERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9306, 20 November 1901, Page 3

RETURNED TROOPERS.

THE CASE OF THE INVALIDS. "HUNG UP" IX THE SOUTH. A SHORT-SIGHTED POLICY. (Special to Herald.) DUNEDIN, this day. Apparently the Premier's pi-omi.se that nothing should be wanting to restore returning invalid troopers to health is not being carried out. Several returned troopers, interviewed by a representative of the Star, complained that latterly they had been "hung up," as they expressed it, waiting for orders to proceed to the sanatorium. On the point of delay or inconvenience Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel DeLautour said : — "There has been delay, certainly, latterly, avs a number of troopers who ought to be up North in a wanner climate have been stuck in Dunedin. They should have gone two months ago. Now the pressure is coming on the sanatoria, this being the busy season, and the troopers are likely to be shut out altogether." Asked if it would not be possible to improvise convalescent homes for the men, Surgeon DeLautour replied : "I think convalescent or rest camps might be advantageously established, but really it is a question I cannot go into details upon. I recommended a scheme of this sort some time ago, but so far have received no answer to my suggestion. Roughly, the idea was to put the men in tints, four to a tent, under supervision. The men are accustomed to tent life, and would be happy enough. This would relieve the crowded sanatoria, and the services of the troopers fit for light work might be utilised in improving the grounds. This would keep them employed, and the work done, would be a set-off to their cost of keep: It should not cost more than 2s 6d a day to find them, and at the same time the mcu would improve in health and strength, and thereby cut short their illness. "Here in this uncertain climate, after watching them for four months, I find they don't improve, and the longer they keep ill the heavier the expense will be to the Department. I can hardly think, in view of the. Premier's interest in the welfare of the men, that he is cognisant of any delay or inconsideration in regard to the invalids. Looking at it, moreover, from the question of expense to. the country, it is a very short-sighted policy to attempt economising on medical grounds, for these men, if not restored to health, run a big chance of becoming a permanent burden on the community."