Manawatu Evening Standard. CIRCULATION 4900 DAILY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915 THE TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10164, 1 September 1915, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. CIRCULATION 4900 DAILY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915 THE TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

It is clearly apparent from the report of the Trcntliam Commission, tabled in the House on Friday, that, whatever may have been its condition throe months ago, the Trentham Cam]) is no longer a menace to the health of the troops in training there, and that there is really nothing to be feared from its permanent occupation. It is now in nearly every respect, a model camp—-well-equipped and provided with up-to-date water supplies, excellent sanitary and lighting systems, hutments of the most approved typo, well-drain-ed and splendidly loaded, with a branch line of railway running right through the ramp, relieving the heavier traffic which, during the earlier months of occupation, so badly cut up the ground. That there were serious defects in the eamp administration is clear. The Commission does not, however, attempt to apportion the blame; and it is perhaps as well for the more irresponsible critics, who have sought to make political capital out of the epidemical outburst of sickness that occurred in the camp, that it has not done so. The reports that were circulated and that were made public by the press concerning the camp were, in many instances, not only extravagant, but obviously intended to prejudice the public ntind against the Massey Government. By discrediting the Minister for Defence, it was also hoped to bring about the downfall of the Reform 'Administration. It is beyond question that the medical supervision was inadequate. "Sick parades" in the earlier history of the camp were largely farcical in character. The men gained the idea that they were considered to be desirous of shirking duty, and in quito a number of instances that might be cited, men who were really in need of medical attention would not go up lor examination. Under these circumstances it is easy to understand how an epidemic might take charge of and run through the camp before tho medical officers were fairly aware of its existence. But, beyond this, there were contributing causes which the medical staff .should have obviated, and to which

noticeable passage in its summing up of the position being the following: There were indications during the early months of the year that maladies might assume dangerous proportions. The medical administrative service did not realise the significance of the indications, and therefore did not, in anticipation, provide sufficient means for the treatment and prevention of maladies. Energetic and effective methods were not pursued until Dr. Valintine intervened. Had the true significance of the indications been realised, there would not have been introduced into the camp large bodies of troops that were brought there in May and June, and the epidemic would not. therefore, have reached the proportions it did." After reading the above, one can appreciate the absurdity of the attempts that have boon made to saddle the responsibility upon the Minister for Defence. Hut it is only amongst people who arc ignorant of the working of the Departments of State that such attempts are likely to prove successful. That the Minister was ' not deserving of censure is proved by I the action taken by the Reform Governj ment to secure the services of a compe- ! tent British offiecr to organise and direct the medical services of our defence forces, and in the further appointment of Dr. Valintine to control the hospital arrangements, pending Colonel Henderson's arrival. The application ,to the Imperial Government that resulted in Colonel Henderson's appointment was made some time before the public outcry against Trentham, and it is, to say the least, significant that—apart from a certain amount of provincial jealousy which caused the Auckland press to endorse the agitation, in the hope that a permanent military camp might be established in the vicinity of the northern city—the only attempts made to cast the responsibility for the laxity of the camp arrangements upon the Minister have emanated from his political opponents, some of whom are. apparently, still endeavouring to make him the scapegoat.-