FEATHERSTON CAMP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17095, 18 February 1916, Page 6

FEATHERSTON CAMP.

An indirect fillip to recruiting should be given by Dr Thacker’s testimony to the efficiency of the training camp at Featherston. Although his report is entirely unofficial, it, carries the weight of a trained physician’s observations, and it will be generally conceded that Dr Thacker has proved himself candid on this important matter. Last year when he visited the Trentliam camp the mefmber for Christchurch East found a state of affairs that called for immediate improvement, and ho directed the attention of the Government and the public to the question. The results were fairly prompt and altogether satisfactory. Therefore, the report that we have now from the same quarter has considerable weight. ,It is clear that the Defenoe authorities have profited by experience. They have introduced those principles of hygiene and sanitation that were lacking at the big camp which had to be evacuated owing to sickness. Now the men are distributed over a sufficient area of ground to meet the requirements, based upon the practice in the military world. The camp has all along been under the eyes and subject to the supervision of skilled men, and the net effect is that the young New Zealanders who are being prepared for the strenuous duties of war have the advantages which should have been provided, but were not, at Trentham in the first- year of the war. The public will read the report on Dr Thacker’s visit of inspection with great satisfaction, and we should think the authorities will be grateful for the recommendation it conveys to prospective recruits and relatives of men in training or who may go into the camp. There had been rumours of sickness on a considerable scale at Featherston, and after last year’s disclosures many people were no doubt apprehensive. Happily, those rumours are now dispelled. ' The men of New Zealand are being trained for the war under very good conditions indeed.