§ 23. Mr. MORRELLasked the Undersecretary for War if his attention has been drawn to the conditions now existing at Sidestrand Camp in the case of men of forty-five years of age and upwards now in training there; whether he is aware that these men complain of the severity of the training immediately imposed for those who are not used to such a life, alleging that they have not had their clothes off for a fortnight, that they have to sleep on the floor without oil sheets, and that their instructors are men of not more than twenty-five years who treat them with roughness; and whether, in view of assurances recently given in this 1789 House, he will have inquiries made into this case with a view to improving these conditions?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONEnquiries have been made, and I find that no complaints have been made to the commanding officer of the battalion or to the company officers. There are no grounds for the suggestion as to the severity of the training, and I am assured that the men receive sympathetic treatment. If any man complains or shows signs of distress during drill or training he is allowed to fall out to rest. No man does physical drill against his will; it is a voluntary parade for which 30 per cent. of the men have volunteered. There is no reason why men should remain in their clothes at night, and if any men have done so, it is of their own choice. An extra blanket is being supplied to the men and all are equipped with waterproof sheets, except in a few cases where there has been unavoidable delay. Steps have been taken to procure the sheets as quickly as possible. Instructions have been issued that older recruits should be drilled by older non-commissioned officers, but there are not sufficient non-commissioned officers over forty and some below that age have been employed only so far as this deficiency necessitated. I have seen a letter written by a soldier in this camp in which he states that the administration is excellent, and that the men receive every consideration.