TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1915, Page 4

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

SCOPE OF COMMISSION. Wellington. Thursday. A statement regarding the scope «of the Trcnlham Camp Commission was made ,by.'the Solicitor-General .(Mr. J. \V. Sulmond, K.C.) before the Commission resumed the hearing of evidonce today. The Solicitor-General said that tin: Commission was not essentially or primarily an advisory body, on which the Government might shift its responsibility. Incidentally, an enquiry into what .had happened in the past must involve the future; also criticism of what had existed amounted to a recommendation, but as such was merely incidental. The Commission had been established to investigate charges, to afford the public an opportunity of stating their grievances, and to obtain a judicial finding with respect to such charges. Any recommendations would undoubtedly be welcomed, but the Commission could not lie regarded as involving a stay of proceedings. The Government had to proceed with the equipment of camps. The question of removal from Trentham was not now a matter for consideration. A great deal of money had already been spent there, and there was a further big programme of improvements. His Honor Mr. Justice Hoiking (president), said the observations made yeswere directed to the hutments. Concerning tlieso a great deal of evidence had been given, and any finding upon that question might involve alterations if any notice were to be taken of it. He quite recognised, however, that the military activities must continue. Colonel Bachelor attended to correct an impression that lie had doubted the existence of ccrcbro spinal meningitis at the camp. Evidence was tendered by Captain Donald Simpson, invalided home from (lie British section of the New Zealand Forces, with i-espect to New Zealand camps as compared with the camps at Salisbury Plains and other parts of England. Kvidcnce was also given by Christopher Thompson (private) concerning his illness, Henry Legge. (storenmn) concerning the death, from meningitis, of a relative, and Major W. L. Robinson (Assistant Quarter-master-General.)