BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

WEYMOUTH CAMP. ALLEGATION'S OP BAD CONDITIONS DISPROVED. THE MEN CHEERFUL. Eeceived Jan. 4, 11.33 p.m. London, Jan. 5. Prior to the arrangement for the removal of New Zealanders from Weymouth camp rumora were freely circulated that it was in a deplorable condition, and also waa insanitary. An Australian Press Association representative thoroughly investigated the camp and found that the allegations were malicious inventions. The camp is situated on rising ground, and is admirably drained, ventilated, and warmed. At the outset the lightlyconstructed roofs failed to keep out the rain in a large section where three thousand troops were quartered, and these suffered a good deal of discomfort until the authorities remedied the sanitary reA n:n winm and recreation rooms were provided. There waa a second camp some distance away, which was reserved for 400 maimed and otherwise incapacitated Australians and New Zealanders, who were awaiting transport home. The men were cheerful, notwithstanding that many must have anxieties for the future. The officers in charge at Weymouth were pleased at the splendid behaviour of the men, whose health generally was excellent. DR. CLIFFORD. PBEACHES AGAINST COMPULSION. Eeceived Jan. J, 9.35 p.m. London, Jan. 5. Dr. Clifford, preaching at Westbourne Park, said: "We must guard our democratic liberties against the attacks of State absolutism. If we adopt conscription you will be Prussianised by your own want of insight and faith in freedom."

WOUNDED MAORI LANDERS. BETTER ARRANGEMENTS MADE. Received Jan. 4, 8.5 p.m. London, Jan. 3. Sir Thomas Mackenzie has completed arrangements for the removal to-day of New Zealanders from Weymouth to a special camp. There has been overcrowding at Weymouth, due to the lack of transports, and the New Zealanders tended to lose their individuality, all being classed as Australians. The new camp is within thirteen miles of London, thus enabling Sir Thomas Mackenzie to give close personal supervision to the men's comfort. An extension to the New Zealand Hospital was opened to-day, there being two hundred extra beds. Sir T. Mackenzie has also completed the reorganisation of the postal parcels forwarding department, which was chaotic owing to disorganisation in Egypt, where two hundred bags were sometimes received daily.