V.C.’s COMPLAINT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22201, 19 February 1942, Page 4

V.C.’s COMPLAINT

Army Has No Further Use For Him Discharge Alleged Ministerial Explanation (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 18. A complaint that he had been discharged from the Army “as it had no further use for an experienced man” was made in Rotorua by Sergeant A. C. Hulme V.C. Sergeant Hulme said he had been medically boarded and advised by the doctor that he was Al. He had only one interest above his home, and that was to be in the Army, but in spite of all he had been promised by Government officials he had been thrown out for no apparent reason. In a statement concerning this complaint the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said Sergeant Hulme had not been "thrown out as the Army had no further use for an experienced man.” “The real position is,” said Mr Jones, “that the latest Medical Board, held on December 15 last, declared that Sergeant Hulme was temporarily unfit lor six months for any form of military duty and, in addition, recommended that he should undergo further treatment at the Rotorua Sanatorium. “Much as the Army desires to utilise Sergeant Hulme’s services at the earliest possible moment, his physical condition, according to competent medical opinion, is such that he may not be employed on Army work at present. When treatment at the sanatorium is completed Sergeant Hulme will be reexamined and, if found to be fit, will be posted for duty in such capacity as will enable the best use to be made of his past war experience and military training. “It should be added that Sergeant Hulme is under a misapprehension if he thinks he has been discharged from the Army. He has merely been placed on leave without pay (in accordance with the existing regulations) and is thus available to be called up immediately if he is found fit for military service. He has already been retained on Army pay and allowances for more than three months (the maximum period allowable) since his return to New Zealand, and until he again comes on military pay he will receive a war pension and he will be adequately taken care of by the War Pensions Department. “We have a job ready for Sergeant Hulme,” Mr Jones concluded, “and as soon as a Medical Board says he Is fit to take it up there will be no delay In making the appointment.”