CAMP JOTTINGS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 22, 24 November 1939, Page 4

CAMP JOTTINGS

Permanent Camps "The military ‘camps at Trentham, Burnham and Papakura will be _ permanent establishments. That is why so much attention has been paid to their construction and lay-out. Ngaruawahia will also be a permanent military camp, though not such an elaborate one as the other three. ‘Before waf broke out, plans had been dtawn up for the mobilisation camp at Papakura, and these were immediately put into operation, All the three principal camps have been laid out with a view to their: permanence, but the outbreak of Wwar hurried their final construction.

Tar-sealed roads, electric lights, bathing and cooking arrangements are all part of the modern military camp and have not been instituted as temporary war measures, as some people seem _ to imagine. Permanent picture theatres and canteens are being constructed at Burnham, Trentham and Papakura, and these will serve the soldier in peace time as they do in war. Naturally, to meet war conditions, some extra accommodation has been necessary, but generally speaking the three main mobilisation camps would have become part of New Zealand’s defence system even if war had not broken out.

Wet Canteens A wet canteen is now in operation at Trentham. Others will be established at Burnham, Papakura, Ngaruawahia and the Air Force camps as soon as possible. Milk bars and cafeterias will be part of the establishment of each canteen, and the whole scheme will be under the control of a Canteen Board, with the Minister of Defence as its head, The establishment of wet canteens is fully covered by special regulations Officially Christened An official name has been given to the men who are now in camp training for service. From now on they will be known as the Second New Zealand Division, which will carry on the tradition and continuity of the Division which fought in the last war. The brigades and their battalions will also begin where the last Division left off, and this system of numbering will apply throughout the whole of the New Zealand Forces.

Maori Battalion A few of the officers with the Maori Battalion will be pakehas, but every opportunity will be given to Maoris to fill the commissioned ranks. Major Dittmer is at present investigating the Maori personnel in the Special Force, and those who are considered suitable will be sent to Trentham to train as commissioned and non-commissioned officers. Recommendations will also be received from Maoris in different parts of the Dominion who may be considered suitable for such positions. In addition, certain vacancies will be left in the Battalion, and when the men go into camp, specially selected individuals will fill the positions which have been left open. The Maori Battalion will go into camp at the Palmerston North Show Grounds about January 18. Service conditions for Maoris are the same as those for pakehas, that is, preference will be given to single men, but married men with one or two children will be taken in special instances. Up to. date about 963 Maoris have enlisted. Minister on Tour ‘The Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, paid his first visit to the Air Force camp at Taieri, Dunedin, last Friday. On Monday he visited Burnham Camp for the first time, and also inspected Wigram Air Force establishment. This week Mr. Jones hopes to go to Auckland to pay a round of visits which will include Papakura Camp and the Air Force camps,