TRENTHAM CAMP TO BE SHIFTED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2509, 9 July 1915, Page 6

TRENTHAM CAMP TO BE SHIFTED

FORCE TO BE DIVIDED

NEW SITES IN NORTH ISLAND

COMMISSION SET UP

INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE, HOUSE

"The Goveniraent Lave decided to shift tlio camp, and a commencement will be made to-morrow morning."— This statement was made by tlio Prime Minister' last evening. ; Mr. Massey said ho was unable to say to what site it would' be moved hccauso the camp would be divided, and lie was not in a position to say where.the different divisions would be placed. He .thought, however, that all the sites would be in the North Island.

-..Speaking in tlio House earlier in the afternoon the Defence Minister had referred to a'preliminary inquiry into the state of things at camp by a committee of; experts. That report, was' received last- night, and the-result v/as the decision of tho Government to movo the camp forthwith. '

In view; of the foregoing announcement lessi.interest now attaches to tho setting -up of the Royal Commission, which was to inquire generally into the conduct of, affairs at Trenthara. Tho members .of tlio Commission set up are Mr., Justice Hoslting, Mh William Ferguson, Civil Engineer/ general manager of the Wellington Gas Company, and 'Dr. A. . Martin, of Palmerston, who' has lately returned from the front. Tho order of reference empowers tho commission to inquire into the administration of the camp, the extent,"', nature, and causes'of the sickness, and the extent and. causes. of - mortality : in the troops, the care of the sick, the medical inspection of tho troops, the methods of removal of the sick from the. camp to hospital, • the notification of relatives of sickness of . soldiers in whom tliey were interested'as next-of-kin, tho drainage system; at the camp, the situation, arrangement, and equipment of the camp, the food supplied to the men, the quality and sufficiency of the'cloth-, ing, and the. suitability; of tho huts. The Commission is also, directed to inquire as to .-whether sufficient:: sanitary or other .reasons exist,-for tlio removal of tlie camp from its . present site, whether in,any! respect the troops have been "at'any time exposed ,to undue and p'revehtiblo hardships or- discomforts, and whether duo care and competence,, have'at- all times been shown by tho medical and other officers charged -with ,the\administration of any other matters mentioned. ' . . . ■,