N.Z. TROOPS IN FIJI

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1941, Page 8

N.Z. TROOPS IN FIJI

LIVING CONDITIONS A Steady Improvement - LPer Press Association] WELLINGTON, February 6. I Good reports or me neann of mi 1 . New Zealand troops m Fiji, and or increasingly good conditions mat l tney are living under, now mat ne\/ camps ar c nearing completion, were brought back by the Un ector-Geu-eral of Medical Services, Brigadier F. T. Bowerbank, who nas returned from a brief visit to the islands. Interviewed, h e said: —Because the troops had to be .sent to Fiji cmrmg the rainy season, and before permanent camps could be prepared ior them, a certain amount or cusconirort has been unavoidable, but all the difficulties of tnat nature are being rapidly attended to, and, from now on, tne men should have little cause of complaint abput the provision made for their health, comiort and recreation.

“fne troops arrived in Suva during the Hottest and wettest part of the year,” said Brigadier Bowerbank, "and, because it had not been possible’ to prepare hutted accommodation for them in advance, a certain amount oi inconvenience and discomfort in those circumstances was unavoidable. However, the men appear to realis e f'uliy that they are on aciiv e service, and they have taken these temporary inconveniences in good part. New camps arc now nearing completion, and most of them are already occupied. Some of the camp s are completely hutted, and in all of them the troops should be very comfortable. When 1 Jell Fiji, the troops were settling down wen into their new 'me huts are well-built, airy, and well ventilated.. Over each man’s bed is a mosquito net. Considering Fiji js a tropical country and that New Zealanders have been there during the worst part of th R year, their Health record is very good indeed. There has been very little sickness, 'mhealth of the men as a whole has been very little different from that of the troops In the mobinsal-on camps in New Zealand. There have been a lew cases of measles and mumps, winch the men took witn 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 win be amused to learn iliac some men had to make a brief appearance at sick parades oecaus e of a weakness lor pineapples Ivlien the pineapple season is in full swing, the fruit is very cheap. Ono soldier wiio paraded sick admitted that h e had eaten eight pineapples in one day. . . "A good indication of the condition of the health of New Zealanders is tiiat during the whole time they have been m Fiji, there have been only two cases on the seriously hi list. The two serious cases were acut e appendicitis, which wer c operated on successfully. There has been one death during a third operation, bin, in view or the number of men in the Fiji force,, and me. period they have been there, th.s represents an exceedingly low mortality rate. Ail’ medical arrangements ior the troops are adequate and ex.treme.y good. Pending completion of a military hospital, now in course of erection, civilian hospitals haw given every possible assistance, curing my stay I visited all the camps and hospitals in all parts ol the island, and frequent conversations with officers and men showed that they were very happy, though, particularly in view or events in the Western Desert,, all are chafing to join other New Zealanders in the Middle Last. i

"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 bearings of all the troops, especially the New Zealanders, who appeared very lit. 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 menial stamina of the troop s is to be fully mainained. Cricket was being played whil, P I was there, but full development of a sports programme has been part.y delayed pending the completion of playing fields.

“Bathing parties have been organised, but the shark danger has prevented the troops having as much swii’ ruing they would like. Europeon women of Fiji have done splendid work in assisting with th e entertainment of all ranks during off duty hours. They are comparatively few in number, and their voluntary duty in canteens alon e has involved a great deal of hard work. Incidentally a number of them to whom I spoke had a high opinion of the New Zealanders’ behaviour. "During the early stage of the New' Zealanders’ stay on the Island, thcr e 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, lh ( . paw-paw, which is looked upon as a delicacy by most Europeans, is 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 some respects, proved inadequate for the climate., where men perspired profusely, thus requiring frequent changes, 'and the frequent washing of clothing. Additional clothing had been issued, and full provision was made for laundering.