SOLDIERS' SICKNESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20098, 18 November 1939, Page 12

SOLDIERS' SICKNESS

DOMINION FIGURES MINISTER'S CHALLENGE CORRESPONDENT'S CLAIMS (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. An emphatic denial of a statement made by a correspondent of the Otago Daily Times that at present approximately one-third of the' men in training at Burham military camp were sick, was given in an interview yesterday by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, who challenged the correspondent to prove that statement as well as his allegation that there had been several deaths. The only death that had occurred had been caused by peritonitis, having been associated in no way with the epidemic experienced in the camps. The figures covering sickness at all camps where men for the Special Force were being trained were quoted by the Minister, who said they covered the position at November 15 and had been supplied to him by , the Director-General of medical services, Lieutenant-Colonel Bowerbank. These were as follows: Christchurch Hospital.—-Remaining in, 90; number in convalescent hospital, 07. Burnham.—Reported sick, 82; admitted to camp hospital, 14; transfer-; red, 5; remaining, 32. Auckland Hospital.—Remaining in, 215; number in convalescent hospital, nil. Papakura.—Reported sick, 60; admitted to camp hospital, 8; transferred, 24; remaining, 5. Ngarawahia.—Reported sick, 39; admitted to camp hospital, 2; transferred, 7; remaining, 22.

Waikato Hospital.—Remaining, 03; in convalescent hospital, nil. Trentham.—Reported sick, 140; adI milted to camp hospital, 6; transferred, 37; remaining, 20. Wellington Hospital. Remaining, 129; in convalescent hospital, 21. "The correspondent of the Otago Daily Times made a statement that 700 men from Burnham were laid up this week," Mr. Jones said. "I challenge him to prove that and also the more serious allegation that there have been several deaths at the camp or iri the Christchurch Hospital. "These statements have caused a great deal of concern to the parents of men in training for the Special Force and, while the correspondent may wish to criticise the Government, he should at least have some consideration for the parents of all the men who have enlisted for the Special Force. "Only one death has been reported and that was caused by peritonitis, the trouble developed soon after the man came into camp. There have been no deaths as a result of the epidemic of sickness that has been experienced."