TUBERCULOSIS SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16465, 18 June 1919, Page 5

TUBERCULOSIS SOLDIERS.

.VIEWS OF A DEPUTATION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Juno 17. A deputation from patriotic and Red Cross societies waited on Sir James Allen, and asked if special assistance 1 could be given to a number of returned soldiers now suffering from tuberculosis. It was stated that even the full pension was insufficient to provide their notds in certain cases. It was suggested that the pension to tubercular patients should bo increased. A number of cases were quoted showing that patriotic societies had been called upon to provide relief. The deputation asked for a scheme to be evolved whereby, extra sanatoria accommodation would be provided. In reply, Sir James Allen said the policy in regard to incurable cases had not boon definitely settled. Ho was opposed to placing all tubercular men in one large institution in each island. Ho preferred to see annexes to civil hospitals established, so that , the men could bo near their homes. The Director-General of Medical Services had appointed two medical officers to go tlirough the Dominion for the purpose of examining all out-patient soldiers, and, where possible, men who had been discharged. If any were found/ to have the disease he hoped to send them to the hospitals to be cured. He .detailed tip; extra sanatoria accommodation that was being provided. In regard to the suggestion to increase pensions, he said that if a soldier was totally incapacitated he received a. full pension, and, in special circumstances, something in addition.