CAMP FACILITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1942, Page 4

CAMP FACILITIES

FOR BATHING & DRYING HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSION. MATTER ALREADY BROUGHT BEFORE AUTHORITIES.' The provision of adequate bathing and drying facilities in camps in the district was discussed by the Wairarapa Hospital Board at its meeting today. After the matter had been ventilated, the board decided to take no action, as the matter, it was stated, had already been brought under the attention of the authorities. Mr A. Forsberg said it should be incumbent on the Army to do what it could to maintain the health of men in camps. He w’ent on to refer to the lack of bathing and drying facilities in camps and said the women of the district were up in arms about it and rightly so. The Army, he said, should take steps to provide proper bathing and drying facilities. He moved a lengthy motion, drawing the attention of the Minister of Health to the position in regard to the lack of bathing, airing and drying facilities in camps and to the necessity for the Army authorities to maintain the health of troops by the provision of ample facilities in the direction stated. Mrs J. Robertson said that most of the camps had arranged, some facilities. A lot depended on the commander of the camp. If the men were overseas they would have to make their own arrangements. Stating that he thought the position regarding baths could be got over, Mr Thompson said something should be done as to drying facilities. Mr A. B. Martin agreed with Mrs Robertson. Under present conditions, he said, it was impossible to provide for every soldier. One of the first things a soldier had to learn was to fend for himself. Mrs Robertson: “The men themselves are not complaining.” “I know of some who are complaining bitterly,” observed Mr Arch Clark. Mrs S. Fletcher agreed that men were complaining. She knew of men, after having dried their clothes, having to walk two miles in the rain to their quarters and getting wet again. She considered some provision should be made for drying and washing facilities from the Patriotic Fund.

Mr H. H. Mawley (chairman) admitted that what Mrs Robertson had said had a bearing on the position. It might 1 be possible to make some provision but not on an elaborate scale. The whole matter, he said, had already been brought under the notice of the Minister of Health, who had agreed to take it up with the Defence Minister. He would say that something would be done.

Several members raised the question as to the wisdom of the board passing Mr Forsberg’s motion, in view of the chairman’s statement, and Mr Forsberg agreed to withdraw it, observing that his motion had aired the whole matter pretty thoroughly. The chairman agreed that it was the wise course to take.