CAMP CONTROVERSY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2535, 9 August 1915, Page 3

CAMP CONTROVERSY

NO RISKS TAKEN PRIME. MINISTER'S ASSURANCE. Some reference to the protests bbing made chiefly in Auckland against tho moving of troops into Trentham again was made by tho Primo Minister yesterday. '"Six medical men have reported officially that Trentham is now quite healthy, as a cajnp for up to'looo men," said Mr. Massey, "and acting on that the Military Authorities havo been getting ready for the next batch of recruits. It is probable that an interim report on this subject from the Royal Commission will bo forthcoming in a few days. You can rest assured that Ministers will run no unnecessary risks where tho health of our men is concerned. I shall be very glad if somo representative Aucklanders will como and see the different camps for themselves. We shall be glad to afford them every facility." "A MODEL CAMP." DEFENCE MINISTER'S OPINION. The Minister of Defence (Hon. J. •Allen), in conversation with a Dominion representative last evening, stated that his Department had no intention whatever of ignoring tho Royal Commission in regard to the question of resuming tho occupation of Trentham by taking the Eighth Reinforcements thero. "It ( is necessary," ho said, "for the carrying out of our undertaking in tho interests :of the Empire that the work of traiuiing should not be delayed. Ido not I want to ignore the Commission. Far ( from it. Ido not know whether we '.will get its report before the new lot of men so into camp, but I hope that ; we shaJl receive an interim report, in any case, before then. We'did not jhake up our minds to resume the uso of the camp without getting full advice Upon the matter. Ave obtained a report from six or seven medical officers, who recommended certain alterations, and these are now being carried out." Mr. Allen added that there was no desire or intention to unduly hurry the Eighth lleinforcements into camp. It had been expected that they would be taken into camp on August 17, 18, and' 19. but on account of a delay in getting the gravel into camp through a flood in the river, the road works now proceeding would not be completed by the 17th. It was desired to complete the streets before bringing the men into, tamp, and the probable dates of tlie' arriving of the men would now be August 23, 24, and 25. "Thero is nothing wrong with Trenthain," added the Minister, in, an emphatic tone. "It is • 1 going to be a model camp."