TROOPS IN FIJI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 6

TROOPS IN FIJI

ALL IN GOOD HEALTH ACCOMMODATION IMPROV'D) FEW CASES OF SICKNESS [ Per Press A*sociatio-. WELLINGTON. Feo. 8. Good reports of the health of the New Zealand troops in Fiji and the increasingly good conditions they are living under, now that the new eamps are nearing completion, were brought back by the Director-General of Medical Services, Brigadier F. T. Bcwerbank. who has returned from a brief visit to the islands. Interviewed, he said that because the troops had to be sent to Fiji during th > rainy season, and before permanent camps could be prepared for them, a certain amount of discomfort had been unavoidable, but all the cifficulties of that nature were being rapidly attended to, and from now on t're 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 t :e year,” said Brigadier Bowerbank, "ard because it had not been possible to prepare 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. 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 he very comfortable. Troops Settling Down “When I left Fiji the troops were settling down well into their new camps. The huts are well built, airy, well ventilated and over each man’s bed is a mosquito net. Considering that Fiji is a tropical country and that the New Zealanders have beer, 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 mobilisation camps in New Zealand. "There have been a few cases of 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 lea;: that some of the men had to make ? brief appearance at sick parades because of their weakness for pineapples. When the pineapple season is in full swing the fruit is ver. cheap.; One soldier who paraded sick admit- 1 ted that he had eaten eight pine-! apples in one day. “A good indication of the condition i of the health of the New Zealanders I is that during the- whole time they have been in Fiji there have been only two cases on the seriously ill i list. The two serious cases were ■ acute appendicitis. \h h were operated on successfully. There was one ' death during a third operation, but.; in view of the number of men in the Fiji force and the period they have been there, this represents an exceed- | ingly low mortality rate. All medi- : cal arrangements for the troops are adequate and extremely good. Pending completion of the military hospital now in the course of erection, the civilian hospitals have given every possible assistance. All Ranks Happy “During my stay I visited all the camps and hospitals in all parts of the island and had frequent conversations with officers and men. They were very happy, though, particularly in view of events in the Western Desert, all are chafing to join the other New Zealanders in the Middle East. I sawone 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 troops, especially the New Zealanders, who appeared to be very fit. Because Fiji is a tropical country, the 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 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 as much swimming as they would like. The European women of Fiji have done splendid work in assisting with the entertainment of all ranks during the off-duty hours. They are comparatively few in number and their voluntary dutvjn canteen- alone has involved a great deal of hard work. Incidentally, a number of them to whom T spoke had a high opinion of the New Zealanders’ behaviour. Complaint* About Food “During the earl, <;?/ of the Nev Zealanders’ stay on the ..'land the:.? were some justifiable complaints about the food, but all that ha> now been rectified. The fault was partly due to the Army cooks' lack of know;

ledge of some of the native fruits and dishes, and to the curious likes and dislikes of the men. For instance, paw paw is looked upon as a delicacy by most of the Europeans, but is not 'iked by the troops. A sister dietitian ' on the staff of the military hospital is ’ assisting the cooks to provide more • varied and appropriate dietry.” ■ Brigadier Bowerbank said that the , -lothlng 1 pme respect - had proved I inadequate for a climate where the (men perspired profusely, thus requiri ins frequent changes and frequent i washing of clothing. Additional clothling had been issued, anti full provision had been made for laundering.