LEASE OF HOME

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 108, 8 May 1943, Page 6

LEASE OF HOME

FOR U.S. SERVICEMEN

REPLY TO CRITICISM

The reasons which influenced the Auckland Provincial Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society in leasing the Evelyn Firth Home to the American Red Cross were detailed by Sir Ernest Davis, chairman of the joint council, at the annual meeting of that body last night. The statement was made on account of the criticism which had been levelled against . the joint council by the Returned Services Association. It had been deemed advisable, said Sir Ernest, to treat the matter in confidence until the proper time for making a statement arrived. On October 29 last, Sir Ernest stated, the commander of the American forces in New Zealand interviewed the committee and pointed out that the home would be an ideal recuperative base for United States servicemen who were being subjected to terrific strain in protecting the Dominion in the Pacific. These men arrived in an exhausted condition and were only allowed a limited time in which to recuperate before being sent back to their forward base. The matter was fully considered from all angles by the committee, and the Prime Minister and Mr. Coates were consulted. The proposal was also submitted to the joint council in Wellington, •which expressed approval and submitted it to the National Patriotic Fund Board, which also agreed, provided that New Zealand men were properly provided for and adequate protection was taken against damage to the home. The proposal was then reviewed by the administrative planning committee, which adjudicates upon the prospective requirements of the United States and New Zealand forces, and "was approved. Finally the War Cabinet reviewed the situation, and again the wisdom of the whole proceedings was endorsed. The rental agreed upon for the Evelyn Firth Home was £640 annually. The American Red Cross had spent over £1000 on the property, an asset which would accrue to the joint council when the lease terminated. The home was packed out and the men were loud in their praises of the opportunity for. recuperation. These men went back to the lighting line with a new spirit. The good purpose to which the home was used had obviously justified the action in leasing it to the American Red Cross. ~lt was clear, said Sir Ernest, in conclusion, that, in addition to performing a service to our Allies, the United States servicemen, many of whom were real heroes whom we could not honour too much, the transaction had resulted in a substantial saving in expenditure, roughly £30 per week, without in any way impairing facilities which it was our privilege and duty to make available to our own men.