TRENTHAM CAMP.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1915, Page 5

TRENTHAM CAMP.

' PIJH'LTC OPINION AROUSED. IS A CHANGE' I)KSinAHLE ? (By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. Ilio debate that took plaeo in the J louse of Representatives this afternoon with regard to the conditions in Trentham Camp undoubtedly left the Ministers gaspmg. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of " bhc Health were subjected in turn to a heavy fire of questions from members who had been making personal investigations into tho sickness at the camp and-it was obvious that they were unable to counter all the charges that were hurled at thorn. The Hon. R 51 Rhodes could not deny that sick men had boen placed in th« loose boxe# at Trentham raccßours®, and thai othor nieii cifid been refused permission to trll their relatives when# they were aiul what was the nature of 'their illness, the Hon. .Tames AUen could only repeat his previous statements that Trentham Ump was healthy and well drained assertions that could carry no weight with the House in the faco of the sickness records and the appearance of the camp itself. Mr. Massey, who is never seen to bettor advantage than when "no is fighting, supported his colleagues loyally and occasionally warmly, but eve'n ho could not stem the attack. Tho question of party hardly enters into this matter. The Houso is genuinely aroused and a little alarmed by what it has heard and seen with regard to the Trentham Camp, and though the Government members cannot critieiso as freely as tho Opposition member*- arc doing they do not disguise their diacoiitent. The most important incident of the debate was the statement of the Defence Minister that a "committee of experts" is inquiring regarding the d:>suability of moving the enmp or divHing it. Most people l who have anv personal knowledge of the subject w'ill be vastly surprised if this committee does not recommend a reform of a ve-v radical kind. TROOPS TO BE MOVED. mi , , Later. Tho t'aucug of the Government Party to-night was a lengthy one, and there are indications that some plain talkin" was heard. The members of the partv uo not attempt to disguise their dissatisfaction with the revelations regardin" tiie stato of affairs at Trentham. ° The Prima Minister announced, after the caucus, the decision of the Government to move tlia troops from Trentham •atup. CAMP iMOVES TO-DAY, NEW SITE NOT YEP SELECTM}, • «m, Wellington, Last Night. Tho Government has decided to move Trentham camp," said tho Prime Minister, after the conclusion of a caucus of the Government Party held to-night. "A commencement will be made first thing tomorrow morning. The "camp is going to ibe divided, but I cannot say yet where the new camjpa will Ibe." The Prime Minister added that the decision of the' Government in this matter had been come to after tho receipt of tho report of a committee of expert* (military and medical),"who had been asked to investigate the situation, The committee had recommended the Governent to move the eamp, and -t/ho recommendation was going to l)o given effort to at once. ANOTHER TROOPER DTDS. JWHngtoß, Last Night. Albert Clark, a member of the forces camped at Trentham, died there this morning. He had been suffering from measles, complications following. THE ROYAL COMMISSION. PERiSONNEIi 'AXD THE INQUIRIES. T.'elUngtoh, Lm* Night The Prim# Minister announced lonight ttfat th* foljowing gentlemen ,i)*d bejjfl appointed momlberi. of the Royal Commission o£ Inquiry 'rfMeh Si I '.to eon<lucl_ e.n investigation with regard to th«"#ic.lcSesß and'general eoUdnot of affairs' at Trentham camrp: Mr, Justice Hoßldng»'iMr. W. Ferguson .(engineer to the Wellington Gas Company) and Dr. A. A. Martin, of iPalineretoo North (recently returned from the front). The commission ,is to inquire into the administration of the Trenthsm eamp during the go far as each administration relates 111 anj way to t'he health, comfort, feeding, clothing, treatment and 'accommodation of the troops, and in 'particular to inquire into the following matters: (1) The extent, nature and causes of sickness among the troops; (2) the extent and causes of mortality among tTie,droops; (3) whether due tare and efficient measures have been at all times ta'ken to prevent or minimise such sickness or mortality; (4) whether an efficient system for the treatment of the siok has at all times existed in connection with the camp; (5) whether an efficient system of medical inspection of the troops has at all times existed; (<i) whether in any cases the sick have been neglected or improperly treated; (7) whether undue delay lias in any cases taken place In the rcoval of the sick from the camp to a hospital; (8) whether proper notification has at all times been made to the relatives of the sick and sufficient facilities given to those relatives to afford assistance or comfort; (9) whether an efficient system of drainage, water supply and sanitation "has at all times existed in respect of the caJnp; (10) whether the camp is suitably situated, equipped and arranged for tho purposes for wh'ieli it is used; (11) whether sufficient sanitary or other reasons cixst for the removal of Uhe camp from its present situation; (12) whether the food h"rpliod to the troons has been at all times sufficient and of good quality, ami properly prepared and served; (13) whether tho clothing supplied to the troops has boen at all times of proper qualitj and sufficient in amount; (14) triiether the tents, 'huts and other accommodation for tho troops have at all times been sufficient, suitable and proper for the purpose; .(IS) wliothor !n any respect the tfoops have been at any time exposed to undue and preventable hardships or discomforts; (Ifi) whether due care and competence have at all times been sflibwn by the medical and other officers charged with the administration of any of the matters afot'esaid.