TROOPS IN CAMP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1939, Page 4

TROOPS IN CAMP

MEASURES TO PROTECT HEALTH SAFEGUARDING THE FOOD SUPPLY. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 23. General satisfaction with the layout of the camp and facilities for soldiers was expressed by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, after a thorough firstinspection of the new Papakura camp. Mr Jones also visited Ngaruawahia camp, and expressed pleasure at the improvement in conditions, which had resulted from the transfer of a large body of men to Papakura. “So far as meals are concerned.” said Mr Jones, “I am satisfied that every-, thing is being done to give variety, and if anybody had the opportunities of seeing the camps that I have had in the last few days, they would be well satisfied with conditions of keeping preparing and serving. “Papakura had some unfortunate trouble last weekend, but immediate steps are being taken to remedy the position. The present cooling system is not absolutely satisfactory, but installation of refrigerated rooms will effectively prevent any recurrence of the trouble. Orders for the equipment had been given before the outbreak of poisoning. “Soldiers have been touched by the influenza epidemic, which has also affected civilians,” said Mr Jones, when speaking of the first echelon's health. This has been so at all camps; but when such large bodies of men are brought together, it is likely that an epidemic is more easily spread than in civilian life. “However, when the new Papakura hospital block is completed, we will be able to look after them better than ever. lam satisfied that the treatment they have been receiving in the temporary hospital has been quite good, and parents need not be alarmed because we have been sending men to public hospitals. This does not mean that the cases have been serious, for’ nine-tenths of them would not be sent if they were still in civilian life, but we have decided on this course to give them better treatment and to lessen the dangers of contagion. The system is to keep them in the camp hospital no longer than 48 hours, so that if they need more than that amount of attention they are sent to public hospital.”