New Zealand Troops In Fiji
p. 46 · Read in the full issue
The following article was published in “New Zealand Herald” on January 22: F fulfil MENT of New Zealand’s * u ? dertakin g to accept a full share 0 f responsibility for Empire defence, & hSSSif 6 arran gement Newton in of
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cfahrmod P Pii?° JwS5 haV6 bBen stationed m Fiji -An official announce ment of the establishment of Dominion troops there has now been made by the Government.
The defence of Fiji assumed fresh im portance recently when the general
question of home defence was closely studied in New Zealand. A detailed examination of the position in the South Pacific, and of possible developments, resulted in the inclusion of Fiji in a general scheme, and close collaboration is being maintained between the two Governments.
The arrival of a modern fighting force, complete with motorised equipment,’ brought the total number of motor vehicles in Fiji to a new record figure.
The high standard of accommodation for troops set in New Zealand when the large-scale establishment of new camps was begun on the outbreak of war, has been fully maintained in Fiji. There are several camps, built during a fine weather period, the main one being a few miles from Suva.
Most of the men at the main camp are already quartered in wooden dormitories after the pattern of those built at the newer camps in the Dominion, with iron roofs and push-out shutters instead of windows. Some of the troops occupy bell tents, while at another camp the majority of the men are housed in tents of the New Zealand Public Works Department pattern. As a subsidiary to the main camp, there is a smaller establishment across the road to accommodate specialist units.
Special attention was paid by the authorities to the adequate drainage of the areas on which the camps have been built, with a view to the maintenance of the highest possible standard of health. Tiled drains were laid throughout the main camp, and a special line was taken from the Suva reservoir to the camp to provide an adequate water supply. Shower-huts are provided, and the troops regularly have swimming parades at Suva Point.