MEASLES AT TRENTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 309, 8 June 1915, Page 8

MEASLES AT TRENTHAM.

TREATMENT OF THE CASES. A CHANGE OF CAMP. THE SUGGESTION NOT APPROVED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. I Wellington Last Night. The Defence -Department lias been making some new arrangements during the last day or two for handling the outbreak of measles at Trentliam eamp. The more serious cases are going to be treated at the public hospital, where room is being made for them by tha removal of the present occupants of t ! ic female chronic ward, and mild cases will -be dealt with at other hospitals now at the disposal of the military authorities.

The Minister of Defence stated tonight that he believed the new arrangements were fully adequate to meet the needs of th? situation. The men would receive all the attention they required during the period of illness and convalescence, and the Defence authorities would take all proper stops to check the spread of the infection at Trentliam.

• A suggestion has been made lately that in view of the outbreak of measles at Trentliam the Defence authorities Bhould move the troops to a new camp. In support of this proposal it 13 urged that a camp used by a, large body of men for a prolonged period is likely to 'become insanitary ,-and that a periodical change of the camping ground is a wholesome step as well as a wellestablished military practice. The Minister for Defence, to whom this matter was mentioned to-night, stated that lie could not approve of the proposal. The Defence Department had provided a lirst-class military camp at Trentliam by the expenditure of much money and lahor and efficiency would not be served 'by moving the" troops to some spot where all the work would require to be dono aagin. On the ground of elliciency there were very strong reasons why "the Trent'iam camp should continue to be the training ground for the expeditionary forces prior to their departure from New Zealand. "I am informed, and I can realise the truth of the statement, that the tradition which has been created at Trentliam is a very valuable influence indeed in the training of the men," said .Mr. Allen. " The. successive drafts are Hieing influenced hy tlie esprit dc torp s which has giwi' up at the eamp. The reinforcement groups are trying to hotter the records left by their predecessors, and the consequence is readier submission to discipline, increased efforts and improved efficiency. Moreover, we cannot set about the organisation of a new camp with tho small staff at ouv disposal at the moment when more than 700 ft men arc undergoing training. I hope the public will not ask us to attempt it."