DISCHARGED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11594, 12 January 1916, Page 6

DISCHARGED.

HARD CASE VENTILATED.

ALIEGED HARSH TREATMENT OF SOLDIER.

At to-day's mooting of the Patriotic Coiniv.ii.tcri Mr A. H. Turnhull &aid' that a ease had come, under his notice of a Canterbury soldier who, while doubling over rough country in his final training at Paimei'ston, had put lii=i foot in a rabbit burrow and dislocated his knee. Hy was told that lui would bo laid' up for-a month or so, but a day or two l«tor, while in hospital, he had been, called on by a defence officer and handed his discharge. It ivns a dastardly shamo to treat a tnan like that. Ho was quite satisfied that circumstances of the kind' narrated throughout the country would militate against recruiti'ig. The accident had happened in November, aiul the nvst.n was now almost better and perfectly willing to go back, hut lie had had to pay doctors' bills, and had* lost a lot of time, besides maintaining himself. Ho moved that the circumstances under which the man was diseharged'slionld be. brought before tJio Minister, as an instance of lack of consideration and a duo senso of responsibility on the part of the defence authorities.

On Mr J. J. .'Dongatl's suggestion, it was d'eeided to obtain a written statement from tho man concerned. Mr A. p. Maxwell said that the Department's treatment of returned men ■was doing- more harm than anything else to keep back leeruiting. The motion was agreed to subject to an inquiry beforehand.

A sub-committee was appointed to report on the subject of incorporating under the War Funds Act.