THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 203, 7 September 1901, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

A WOMEN'S COMMITTEE TO IN-

VESTIGATE.

If the Government had any backbone, it would not have yielded to the blatant cries of the pro-Boers and appointed a committee of ladies to visit the concentration camps and co-operate with the local committees. All the evidence of those people who know something of South Africa and the Boer methods of living tends to show that every possible consideration is extended to the concentrated, and that many of them are far better cared for than ever before in their life. Why thousands more of the nation's money should be further expended in throwing a bone to the pro-Boers to stop their snarling, why six ladies should be appointed when one or two at most (says Mrs Fawcktt and a woman doctor) would suffice, and why if a commission is appointed it should not inquire first into thei plight of our own loyalist refugees and then into that of our enemies, are questions that the intelligent taxpayer is putting to hisnself and to his fellow-bearers of the war burden. Moreover he would like to know what practical result is to follow the investigations of the committee. If the Government supplied the mounted men required and prosecuted the war vigorously, it ought to be over before the recommendations of the committee be., carried -into effect. Lord Milner's warning, at the presentation of the freedom of the .city to him last Tuesday: "Let us beware in trying to win—as I believe we shall win—the hearts of our former enemies lest we alienate the confidence of those who have all along been our friends," was certainly called for. There was much justification too for Mr Bartley'g question in the Commons on Tuesday whether the inquiry would not be extended to our own loyal subjects who have had to bear similar sufferings and even worse than the Boers.

With the composition of the committee no fault can be found, for it comprises Lady Knox, who has, had considerable experience of South Africa before and during the war, and whose ministrations to the .sick and wounded in Ladysmith'..did much to alleviate their sufferings; Mrs Fawcett, LL.D., who has. taken a leading position in all movements for the improvement of the condition of working women; Miss Lucy Deane, His Majesty's Inspector of Factories, who has very large experience in special investigation and in Inquiries into matters relating to women and children; Miss Scarlett and Dr. Jane Watherston, both medical graduates with considerable practical experience of work abroad, both now in South Africa; Miss Brereton, who has been in charge of the Yeomanry Hospital in South Africa, and who has much administrative experience. The appointment of the two lastnamed cannot be completed pending further information as to the time which they can spare from their professional calls. Dr. Watherston, who commands the deepest confidence through South Africa owing to her lifelong devotion to philanthropic work, and who has probably done more refugee relief work than anybody in Capetown, is evidently the right woman in the right place. A white paper issued this week gives a return of the numbers of persons in the concentration camps in South Africa in June last. ' The total number of white men, women and children in the camps was 85,410: Natal 7840, Cape Colony 390, Orange River Colony 32,715, Transvaal 44,465. The coloured persons in camp numbered 23,489, 20 being in Natal, 20,----390 in Orange River Colony, and 2879 in the Transvaal. The deaths during the month were as follows: Natal, 5 men, 15 women, 84 children, all whites; Orange River Colony, 34 men, 75 women, and 182. children, all whites; Transvaal, 20 men, 48 women, and 310 child.en, all whites and 5 coloured persons. Total deaths 782. It will be noticed that 570 of the deaths are of children, the majority no doubt being due to the ejfr demic of measles.