NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS' CLUB

SOCIAL HEADQUARTERS IN

LONDON

HOME-LIKE SURROUNDINGS

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, July 23. The New Zealand Soldiers' Club will be opened in Russell Square on August Ist. ' The War Contingent Association realised the urgency of establishing social headquarters now that the New Zealanders are in

France, and a subcommittee was entrusted to carry out the project under the entire control of the Association, which is providing the funds. The sub-committee themselves contributed £500.

By arrangement with the War Office they obtained three mansions of the corner block, with the iise of the gardens comprising the square. The military authoritiesl approve of the scheme, which provides for the men home-like' surroundings without military restrictions, within a few minutes of the Records Office and the War Contingent Association rooms in Southampton Row. The Association aimed to attract New Zealanders to a good neighborhood, , in^'order to avoid loitering in the slums. The Association will •arrange for\ the reception of the men and provide comfortable accommodation for 200. It will also direct others to approved boarding houses in the vicinity. An .information bureau will arrange outings, and the Staff will be composed entirely of New Zealanders. The sympathetic supervision resulted in the New Zealanders making an excellent impression. The Association's arrangements will enable it to deal with any number. arriving. The club .will be selfsupporting and is established entirely by funds publicly subscribed. The business-like managemerit is a complete success. It is expected _ that there will be considerable dissatisfaction regarding the military assumptionv of control of Walton Hospital, which the War Contingent Association established and managed ■ Avith conspicuous success. The military authorities, upon the ground that the troops were pampered,' recently exercised pressure resulting in the Association's executive. under protest haaidinig over the hospital forthwith. Probably a riieetingof the Association will be called to consider the matter, with a view to making representations to the people of the Dominion.