A MINISTER GOES TO THE CAMPS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 171, 22 July 1942, Page 4

A MINISTER GOES TO THE CAMPS

DARENTS of soldiers will approve the visits to military camps paid by * the Minister of War Expenditure, Mr. S. G. Holland. As one who has had practical experience of army life he is in a position to judge for himself whether the men are being reasonably treated and whether the huge sums which he now controls, constantly pouring out fcr the construction and maintenance of camps, are not being wasted. He has returned from his first round of visits apparently satisfied with the condition of the camps and with the progress which the men are making In their training. Far too little publicity has been given to such inspections in the past, with the result that the public is kept in ignorance of the progress in the improvement of camp conditions, an ignorance which naturally breeds doubt and distrust. Mr. Holland has not fallen a victim to the hush-hush policy, and his frank observations will prove an encouragement to the relatives of the men in camp, who, if only civilians are still worth a minimum of consideration. Most of the camps inspected by the Minister have been hurriedly improvised during the turnover of the nation from a peace to a war footing, and in these circumstances the conditions have frequently been far from ideal Protests, many of which have been fully justified, have resulted in marked Improvement, and now there is much less to complain of than was the case in the hectic early days of the war. The personal equation enters very largely, and very intimately, into army life, and in general the condition of a camp may be said to reflect the personality and the efficiency of its officers. It is good to learn, therefore, that Mr, Holland was impressed by the personal interest taken by the officers in their men Without that interest morale and fighting qualities cannot be developed, but when the men in the ranks see that their immediate superiors are genuinely concerned for their comfort and their safetv so far as these can be assured under war conditions, they develop an elan and a grim determination which will never acknowledge defeat. Mr. Holland found that the officers were ready to share the fortunes of the men In the ranks. In this they have shewn the right spirit, and the result is shown by the Minister's observation that it did one good to see such keen and fit men, toughened up for the tasks ahead.