H.—l9a.

(3) Adequate changes of clothing to be provided. (4) Avoidance of undue fatigue in the early stages of training —i.e., training to be graduated. (5) Provision of sufficient hot and cold showers. (6) Diet not only wholesome and well cooked, but containing those foods which have a protective value against disease. Food to be varied and served in a palatable manner. (7) Sanitary arrangements to be above suspicion. In regard to (1) it is essential that each soldier shall have 600 cubic feet and a space of 6 ft. between the centre of each bed. In the early stages of the last war proper attention was not given to adequate ventilation and air space, with the result that a serious outbreak of cerebro spinal fever occurred with the loss of many valuable lives and a complete disorganization of training. Points (2), (3), and (4) are the direct responsibility of the unit commander. In the matter of diet, point (6), there has been a great improvement following a conference which was attended by Quartermasters from all units together with Supply Officers and Assistant Directors of Medical Services from the three military districts. Full and frank discussion took place, and much valuable data was secured and action taken accordingly. HEALTH OF TROOPS. The fact that deaths of soldiers in camp since the outbreak of war numbered only 18 (and of these at least 12 were the result of accident) is in itself the best indication of the satisfactory position. INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. An extensive streptoccal respiratory infection broke out in all four camps and amongst the fortress troops in October and November. Owing to the measures of segregation and discharge to base hospitals the severity did not increase, and there were only four cases of true pneumonia and no deaths. It is estimated that the percentage evacuated from units varied from about 40 per cent, to 60 per cent. As part of the scheme for sending only Grade 1 men overseas and so that wastage from illness on active service may be reduced to a minimum, the following measures have been taken X-ray of the chest of every candidate. This has resulted in the discovery of between I*s per cent, of latent and active T.B. cases which would have broken down after a few months overseas and would have been pensionable disabilities. The incidence of T.B. discovered in this way was especially marked among the Maoris. In the late war one of the most dreaded complications of gunshot wounds was tetanus. As a result of recent research a vaccine called " tetanus toxoid " is now injected into each soldier, and it is claimed that this will give immunity against tetanus for life. The inoculation against the enteric group of diseases has been carried out with improved vaccines, and should reduce still further the incidence of enteric fever amongst the troops. Vaccination against smallpox was performed in the First Echelon after embarkation, and in the Second Echelon during training. As practically no soldier had been vaccinated even in infancy the reaction was very severe, and this is an indication of their susceptibility to smallpox had they not been vaccinated. BLOOD-GROUPING. The most modern measure for the protection of the soldier is the blood-grouping or the blood typing of each soldier, the international symbol of which is recorded in the soldier's pay-book and on his identity disk. The value of this to a soldier wounded and on point of death through exsanguination is incalculable. Even in advanced areas it will be possible to perform blood transfusions at once either from one of the man's comrades in the same group or from supplies of citrated blood which will be sent up to the front line. PAY AND ALLOWANCES. The rates of pay and allowances for troops called out for home defence and for the Special Force mobilized for training were considered and approved by the Government on 2nd September, 1939, and published in Army Orders No. 10 of 2nd October, 1939. (N.Z. Army Order No. 236.) The rates of pay and allowances for members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force during service overseas were approved by the Government on 22nd December, 1939. OFFICE ACCOMMODATION : CIVILIAN STAFF. A lease was secured of the ground floor of the Progress Motors Building in Victoria Street, Wellington, and a Pay, Accounts, and Base Records Office established. To house the augmented military and civilian staffs, further office accommodation was secured for Army Headquarters in Wellington and for district headquarters in Auckland and Christchurch. Suitable public servants were transferred by the Public Service Commissioner to positions as Camp Paymasters and Camp Records Officers in the mobilization camps at Trentham, Burnham, and Ngaruawahia, in the case of the latter camp being transferred later to the Papakura Camp. WAR EXPENSE ACCOUNTS. In the Army Department a system of War Expense Accounts was brought into operation, and the items of the annual Army vote were merged therein.

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