CONDITIONS IN CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 21 July 1942, Page 4

CONDITIONS IN CAMPS

Inspection By Mr. Holland FINE SPIRIT OF TROOPS The Minister of War Expenditure, Mr. Holland, returned to Wellington last evening after a busy weekend inspection of military establishments in various argas in the Wellington Province. Twenty-six camps were visited and at each the Minister inspected works in progress and discussed projected works. Mr. Holland stated in an interview that he had discussed with camp commandants and unit commanders plans for the future extension of camp and training facilities. Though the camps were wet as a result of recent heavy rains they were in better condition than he had expected, as a large amount of work had been done by the men in digging drains, constructing stopbanks and the carting and spreading of metal. Due to the acute shortage of manpower, accentuated as it had been by the withdrawal of tradesmen for' urgent earthquake repairs, a great deal of camp construction work was also being done by the men, jn addition to that being done by civilian labour, and generally speaking a great deal of progress had been made. One of the many things that impressed him, said Mr. Holland, was the personal interest taken in the mens welfare by their officers. While, applications for facilities and amenities for the troops were discussed with him by commanding officers he had, not hail any similar requests on behalf of the officers themselves. The officers were perfectly ready to share the fortunes of the men in the ranks. Withdrawal of Men.

It was apparent that there was a good deal of regret and concern on the part of senior officers because of the depletion of the Army’s ranks by the withdrawal of men for farming and certain other occupations, with the resultant dislocation of the general training plan. Unit commanders, however, accepted this withdrawal as inevitable when the circumstances were fully explained to them. Commenting on tlie calibre and spirit of the troops, Mr.'Holland.said it did one good to see such keen, fit men, tough for the tasks that lay ahead. To him an inspection of artillery units was of particular interest; as he had served with the guns in the last war. There was a certain amount of mild influenza in the camps, but not disproportionate to that in civil life, reflecting the utmost credit on tlie medical supervision. “This three days’ tour, in a district which I have had few opportunities of visiting,” said Mr. Holland, “will be of considerable value to me in the execution of my duties as Minister in Charge of War Expenditure.”