TRAINING CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2527, 30 July 1915, Page 6

TRAINING CAMPS

PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENTS DESIRABLE. At yesterday's sittings of tho Farmers' Union Conference, Major Lusk (Auckland) moved: "That tho Defence Minister be urged to consider tho advisability of establishing permanent training camps, where men 'could attend at any time of tho year for training." In speaking to the motion, Major Lusk contended that a permanent camp with hutments was healthier and generally to be preferred io a camp under canvas. He jwinted out also tho advantages of regular batches of men being- able to bo sent into camp all the year round. Mr. A. A. Ross (Auckland) urged the importance of improved sanitary conditions in camps, which deserved as much attention as other settlements and towns.

Mr. ■ G. W. Lcadley (Ashburton) referred 'to tlio deplorable consequences of camps recently held, and declared that it was imperative that something should bo done to remedy matters. Tlio Government would have to exercise earo in tlio selection of camp sites. Parents had a right to .bo anxious as to tho health of their sons. Personally 110 could not see anything very difficult in tlio way of providing proper sanitation in camps. It was unreasonable to expect men to sleep on wet ground or in .wet clothes. Such a state of affairs should not be_ permitted. Mr. J. A. Stiller (Hawke's Bay) expressed approval of the remit. After further discussion, had taken place, Major Lusk pointed out that tlio remit referred to Territorial camps rather than to the camps for men going to the front. On being put to the vote, 'the remit was adopted by a substantial majority.