N.Z. TROOPS IN FIJI

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23248, 7 February 1941, Page 10

N.Z. TROOPS IN FIJI

HEALTH, COMFORT, AND RECREATION REPORT OF MEDICAL DIRECTOR (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, February 6. Good reports of the health of New Zealand troops in Fiji, and of the increasingly good conditions they were living under now that new camps were nearing completion have been brought back by the Director-General of Medical Services, Brigadier F. T. Bowerbank, who has returned from a brief visit to the islands. Interviewed, he said that because the troops had to be sent to Fiji during the rainy season, and before permanent camps could be prepared for them, a certain amount of discomfort had been unavoidable, but all difficulties of that nature were being rapidly attended to, and from now on the men should have little cause for complaint about the provision made for their health, comfort, and recreation. • “The troops arrived at Suva during the hottest and wettest part of the year,” said Brigadier Bowerbank, “and because it had not been possible to prepare the hutted accommodation for them in advance, a certain amount of inconvenience and discomfort in those circumstances was unavoidable. However, the men appear to realise fully that they are on active service, and they have taken these temporary inconveniences in good part. “The new camps are now nearing completion, and most of them are already occupied. Some of the camps are completely hutted, and in all of them the troops should be very comfortable. When I left Fiji the troops were settling down well into their new camps. The huts are well built, airy and well ventilated. Over each man’s bed is a mosquito net. “Considering that Fiji is a tropical country, and the New Zealanders have been there during the worst part of the year, their health record is very good indeed. There has been very little sickness. The health of the men as a whole is very little different from that of the troops in the mobilisation camps in New Zealand. There have been a few cases ol measles and mumps, which the men took with them from this country, and a certain amount of simple alimentary disease, but none of it has been severe or epidemic.

“No doubt many people will be amused to learn that some of the men had to make a brief appearance at sick parades because of their weakness for pineapples. When the pineapple season was in full swing the fruit was very cheap. One soldier who paraded sick admitted that he had eaten eight pineapples in one day. “A good indication of the condition of . the health of the New Zeajanders is that during the whole time they have been in Fiji there have been only two cases on the seriously ill list. The two serious cases were of acute appendicitis,- which was operated on successfully. There was one death in a third operation, but in :view of the, number of men in the Fiji force, andthq period they have been there this represents an exceedingly low mortality rate. All medical arrangements for the troops are adequate and extremely good. Pending the completion of the military hospital now in course of erection, the civilian hospitals have given every possible assistance. Spirit of Men “During my stay I visited all the camps and hospitals in all parts of the island, and frequent conversations with officers and men showed .hat they are very happy, though, particularly in view of events i the Western Desert, all are chafing to join the other New Zealanders in the Middle East. I saw one big parade consisting of a large muster of New Zealand troops, and some of the Fiji defence force (mostly natives). I was very much struck with the bearing of all the troops, especially the New Zealanders, who appeared very fit. "Because Fiji is a tropical country, training must necessarily be lighter and for shorter periods than in New Zealand. This means longer periods of idleness, and creates a need for greater attention to organised recreation if the physical and mental stamina of the troops is to be fully maintained. Cricket was being played while I was there, but the full development of the sports programme has been, partly delayed pending the completion of playing fields. Bathing parties have been organised, but the shark danger prevented the troops from having a: much swimming as they would like, “The European women of Fiji have done. splendid work in assisting with the entertainment of all ranks during off duty hours. TV ey are comparatively few in number, and their voluntary duty in, canteens alone has involved a gteat deal of hard work. Incidentally a number of them,to whom I spoke had a high opinion 'of the New Zealanders’ behaviour.

“During 1 the early stage of the New Zealanders’ stay on the island there were some justifiable complaints about the food, but all that has now been rectified. The fault was partly due to the army cooks’ lack of knowledge of some of the native fruits and dishes, and to the curious likes and dislikes of the men. For instance, paw paw, looked upon as a delicacy by most Europeans, was not liked by the troops. A sister dietitian on the staff of the military hospital is assisting the cooks to provide a more varied and appropriate dietary.” Brigadier Bowerbank said that the clothing issue had in respects proved inadequate for a climate where the men perspired profusely, thus requiring frequent changes an . frequent washing of clothing. Additional clothing had been issued, and full provision was made for laundering.