Trentham Camp.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 9 July 1915, Page 2

Trentham Camp.

The very disturbing roports regarding the health of troops at Trentham Camp, which have come to hand during the past few weeks afford much material for anxious thought. That hundreds of men who left home fit and well, should in a few days be in the hospital suffering from various dangerous diseases is indeed serious, but that a considerable number of these fine young men should now be in their graves is indeed appalling. It is not to be expected that, where such a large number of men are congregated in a small space, no trouble or sickness should arise, but it must be admitted that the number of serious cases at Trentham is altogether out of proportion to what should be expected. Ever since the camp was established, there lias been a good deal of sickness among the men, as it would seem that the pi ce is saturated with the germs of certain virulent diseases. From all accounts, Trentham is a cold, damp, bleak, miserable spot, quite unsuitable except for its central position, for a camp extending over a long period, and there are many better sites available near big ports, on ground with good natural drainage, and where danger trom the attacks of disease would be at a minimum.

In any case, it would appear to be desirable, either that the camp should be shifted altogether, or that it should be split up so that less men are there to be dealt with. The argument that less efficient work would be done in smaller camps will not hold water, and the difference in cost of administration is not worth consideration when men’s lives are in danger. Tiie people of the Dominion are as one in their belief that a sweeping change is necessary with regard to the training of "our men for tho Front, and we hope that agitation will be kept up until the authorities are brought to a sense of their responsibility in this matter.