ANZAC BUFFET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 3

ANZAC BUFFET.

DOMINION TROOPS.

HUGE SYDNEY UNDERTAKING

A great deal could be said afeout what Australia was doing in its war effort, but there was one aspect of this common to both New Zealand and Australia that would be interesting to the people of New Zealand, said Sir Charles Norwood., of Wellington, interviewed to-dav.

'"There are some ,">OO New Zealand - boni women now resident in Sydney who have formed themselves into an organisation under the able leadership of an Auckland-born lady, Mrs. Ferguson, for the purpose of providing entertainment and comfort for soldiers from the time they are called up until the time of embarkation," said Sir Charles. ''Their efforts are not directed alone to providing for New Zealand soldiers. It is in reality an Empire effort, although their leanings towards their own country naturally bring the New Zealanders into high place.

"I have had an opportunity of looking into t lie general service provided bv Austra.lia for the troops and I think Sydney stands out as an example in this regard. I probably would not have come in contact witii the New Zealand ladies personally had it not l>een that I was invited by a Sydney business man to have a meal, the same meal as the soldiers get. at the Anzac buffet. This buffet is a -building erected by the Jewish community of Sydney, right in the centre of the beautiful Domain. It has spacious accommodation for all types of amusement and. in addition, it has din.ng rooms capable of serving upwards of 2000 meals per day.

"It is worked on a roster, and there are enough women to provide a complete stalling of the buffet every day, each section lieing called upon only once a month. Three meals a day are provided free to all soldiers regardless of from whence they come, so long as they are soldiers of the Empire training for service or returning as unfit for service.

"As many as 2000 New Zealand soldiers have been in Sydney at one time and have enjoyed the full advantage and comfort given. A splendid programme is provided each night and even cigarettes are supplied free to the bona fide soldiers. It was to me unique that ,J should be invited to inspect this organisation at a time when the New Zealand ladies were in charge."

Sir Charles said there were many organisations of this kind, all co-ordin-ated for economic reason* under fhe I'Oi'd Mayor s Ap|>cnl Fund. However the efficiency of this particular ladies' organisation, of which the New Zealand ladies, of course, only formed a part, was such that they were able to sat her all the money and supplies necessary to the extent that they had only called upon the Lord Mayor's Fund for lgd per meal served.

He said lie personally enjoyed a meal exactly the same a< the soldiers sot, but the food supplied was far beyond his appetite. Ihe buffet was so popular generally with the soldiers that tlicv needed to go little further for their entertainment while in Sydney. Sir Charles also paid a tribute to Mrs. Fer-gu.-on, late of Auckland, for her organising ability in getting together 000 most efficient ex-New Zealanders in her team.