WAR SERVICE

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 24 May 1923, Page 6

WAR SERVICE

CASE OF DISABLED MEN.

PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. A deputation from the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers Association waited on the Committee of Canterbury members of Parliament. Mr E. Orchard said that through the apathy of the medical authorities men who had become disabled and ill through war service had gone from bad to worse. One man at least had now to be sent to a mental hospital, but if his case had been taken in hand properly that final course would not have been necessary. Unless supported by medical files, a returned soldier had no chance. A great many of the complaints arose through the unsympathetic attitude of the Director-General of Medical Services. Men whose illnesses proceeded from war service were not treated by the Department because there was no support forthcoming from the medical files. Mr W. E. Leadley, secretary of the Association, said that Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Defence, had told Parliament that where there was any doubt the soldiers would receive the benefit of the doubt. Mr Leadley then cited cases to show that tho benefit was not given. He mentioned the names 01 men who had been definitely turned down by tho War Pensions Board Against that treatment the mon I no appeal. It was asked that ai peal Board should be set Mb Board to consist of a magus Government' doctor, and a doc . . senting the Association. Mr said he complained not of tho rt _ incut, but of the beads ot _ A j l s f ov moots. Men wore sent to* years on end. They received no 1g sion, and they were at tho end oi their resources i(] that n 0 Ministaklkii i° al.lo to okoltof Wurf t“f< l “v"" 1 at- , Mr , D / nade in Parliament to from their stiff-necked attitude.