TRENTHAM CAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 25, 28 September 1915, Page 7

TRENTHAM CAMP.

THE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Peb Vnvss Absooxatiojm. Wellington, September 27. Tn the House of Representatives this evening, Hon. Jus. Allen moved that the report of the Trentham Commission be laid on the table and re lerred to the Government for consideration.

Dr. H. J. Thacker said that in the report they had the 1 nil expounding of the views of the Commission and of the evidence submitted. He said that there was not one man of military fame on the Commission, and mentioned that Mr Ferguson was a harbour engineer, with a strong Wellington' bias. Dr. Martin nas highly qualified for a seat on the Commission, amt had shown his independence by adding a memorandum to the report. He contended that the findings of the Commission had not been labelled on to the proper shoulders; also that Cabinet had chosen its own jury with the result that the verdict was “not proven.” Referring to the Minister of Defence, Dr. Thacker contended that Mr Allen had been overweighted with three such largo portfolios as those of Finance, Defence, and Education, and the medical side of thecamp’s equipment had been neglected. Men had become devitalised through too close confinement and want of proper sanitary conditions. He maintained that weak spots still existed in the camp. He considered the complaints against Dr. Purdy unfair. Discussing the Pensions Board,/ he suggested the appointment of an experienced woman who would prowe very helpful. Dr. Newman said that mistakes were still being made at Trentharu. The curse of the camp wag delay; nothing was done in time, and the men were still in want of baths. The recommendations of Surgeon-General Henderson had not yet been given elfect to. The men were too crowded, and there was too much dust. He was afraid they would have all kinds of summer diseases unless Surgeon-Gen-eral Henderson’s suggested reforms were carried out. He also urged Ministers to keep a watchful eye on Samoa. ,

Mr J, Payne complained that a certain medical man had been prevented by the Minister from disseminating practicable knowledge amongst the men in camp.

Mr T. M. Wilt'ord said he had determined not to refer to past mistakes, but to demand that any. recommendations made by SurgeonGeneral Henderson shall be carried out. They Mould tolerate no more of what lie termed the “cigarette” policy, under which men for Samoa had to pay duty on cigarettes and tobacco which had never paid duty. Mr C. H. Poole said he did not desire to embarrass the Government M r ith any hostile criticism in view of what had been done. Ho recognised that many improvements had been effected, and he hoped there would be no further cause for complaints.

Mr 0. Parr defended the personnel of the Commission, which he considered a very strong one. He could only regard the report as an official record of blunders at Trentbam, of muddling and ineptitude, but deprecated and Hogging of a dead horse. He did no think the Minister would liout the recommendations of Surgeon-General Henderson.

Mr T. A. Field (Nelson), commented on the tact of new troops being introduced to Trentham while disease was already there. He considered that dependents of men who lost thenlives at Trentham were entitled to receive every consideration. Mr J. Payne supported this view, and thought Hr. Thacker should receive every credit lor his attitude in regard to Trentham.

Mr J. Escott held that the report (Showed that the medical equipment and attention at the camp were unsatisfactory. Hon. Jas. Allen, in reply, defended the members of the Commission, which had not been appointed in a hurry, but after conference with the leader of the Opposition. He was sorry that’ a man from the Royal Army Medical Corps had not been appointed, at first, but the question of expense had to be considered. He considered that training men for difficulties they would meet iu warfare was necessary, and he would hold himself criminally responsible if men were not inured in

camp somewhat to the hardships they would encounter ou a battlefield. Dr. Thacker: They don’t want molly-coddling. | Hon.' Jas. Allen acknowledged the j valuable work performed by Ur. Valin-' tine in connection with the camp, j Hot baths were ordered at the begin-, ning of the camp. j Dr. Newman: Then why are they not ready? i The Minister: Because other more important work had to be done. I Continuing, Mr Allen said he had now received a (report that they would i bp ready this week. There was a difference of opinion about the lining of the Imts, but in any case more necessary work had to be carried out. J As to the Samoan troops, the reports were that the men were in first-rate health. Regarding the dust evil, this was not an unknown difficulty in camps. He cnoted from the report to show that due attention had been given to the sanitation at the camp. He intended to propose an amendment in the Defence Act making provision for dependents of those who had died j in the training camps. He said that, the Fourth and Fifth Reinforcements j had been so well trained before they left the Dominion that they had gone straight to Gallipoli from Egypt. j , The motion was carried, and the House adjourned. j