WASTE IN CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3171, 23 August 1917, Page 4

WASTE IN CAMPS

MEASURES FOR REDUCTION There havo beon some allegations of waste in New Zealand Reinforcement Camps, and criticism of the military au. t'horities has resulted .in consequence.

Yesterday afternoon Sir James Allen read to tho llouso of Representatives tho following memorandum from llajorGonoral Sir Alfred Robin:—

"I have lately visited the camps, and find tho waste is practically as low as it is possible to bo made. Even tho waste from meals or tables varies. For loany reasons this is not easily controllable.

"(a) Rations must be issued to be cooked for the next day. Many men returning from short or evening leave have not, for many reasons, their full appetite tho next day. "(b) On visitors' day, or when on short leave, many parcola of food are brought in and consumed; again tho appetite is reduced. , ,

"This seems a small reason, but it is astonishing how it tells twico a week, and wo cannot absolutely reduce the ration for that day in anticipation of smaller appetites. "At Featherston the refuse is collected and boiled down, with a result of an average of .£2OO a mouth profit for sale of same. When a. suitable drier or crusher can be obtained tho bones, will be' made into garden manure. "All equipment, broken articles, metals, used-up utensils, etc., have to be accounted for, surveyed, destroyed, or sold to tho best advantage. , "Empty .cases, wiro from straw and hay crates.'empty tins, tea lead, etc./ aro regularly collected and accounted for, and .£3OO a month is tho result. "Tho table and ration refuse at TrenHiain feeds the pigs on a pig farm which is now bringing in a profit. "Clothing and uniforms of all descriptions aro repaired 'ind sterilised, and useless utensils ore sold."