THE THACKER CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1918, Page 2

THE THACKER CHARGES.

IUBSU.LT OF INQUIRY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Feb. 25. The report of the Court of Inquiry into Dr. Thacker's charges says that Dr. Thacker's telegram of complaint to tJie Minister of Defenco was sent on . November 15, but only two eases whiah had occurred before (hat date were brought up, and these were an unjustified allegation that the medical examiners had been insulting. Those were the cases of Woods and Burrows. Two other canes, those of M'Anulty and Cooper, were'of a trivial nature. All these four men were apparently antagonistic to the medical examiners. Concerning Samuels' complaint of the laxity of the medical examiners in not subjecting him to a further medical examination to corroborate the medical certificate which "jvas accepted by them, the court was of opinion that the examination was adequate and the" classification tnadc in good faith. Regarding Burrows, who complained that lie was arrested while"on sick leave and ordered not to visit Dr. Thacker and being threatened with solitary 'confinement if he did so, although in the courts opinion Dr. Mac Gibbon may have exceeded his powers in ordering a man not to visit Dr. Thacker, nevertheless it considers the order did not constitute an insult. Regarding the alleged threat of solitary confinement Burrows said that Dr. Mac Gibbon made it n stipulation that if he promised not to visit Dr. Thacker lie would be released from detention. This statement has not been refuted, and the court is of opinion that Burrows was justified in assuming that the .stipulation constituted a threat. Regarding M'Naniara: This man was obviously of a hijh-stning nervous temperament, and the court suggests (hat Dr. Fitzgerald was ill-advised in making audible asides to his colleague, the tenor of which might be misconstrued. If the regulations do not permit medical examining boards asking a reservist's name, Dr. Fitzgerald was wrong in doing so in this case. Tim r"invt oennludes: "We consider that many reservists appear before the medial examiners armed with certificates which they have been persuaded will exempt them from further examinations and liability for militnrv service. When they discover such is not tho case they arc inclined to believe that they hive a •■vievniiee against the medical emimners. This apparently in certain c.ises has been fomented l>v Dr. Thicker, whoso eondiiftas an officer may be regarded as subversive of military disiplinc, as in 'lie case of Burrows, where he himself failed to report the matter lo district headquarters. but instead sent a telojjra.ni to General Henderson.