"NAFFY"-THE BRITISH SOLDIERS' TUCK SHOP

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13237, 13 January 1941, Page 4

"NAFFY"-THE BRITISH SOLDIERS' TUCK SHOP

Wherever British khaki or blue, is found—in China. Egypt. Palestine. Iraq. Singapore. Gibraltar. Bermuda, Ceylon, —the field canteen units of the Navy. Army and Air Force Institutes follow, equipped to supply service men with home comforts and accessories ranging from aerated water to pipe cleaners, from safety razors to powders. In permanent quarters-, -N.A.A.F.I. — "Naffy" to every soldier, sailer and airman conducts well-furnished clubs, with flowers on the tables, comfortable chairs, radio, bililards. darts and a bar. On active service it establishes canteens as near as possible —sometimes perilously near — to the scene of action.

"Naffv" has an annual business of more than £8,000,000, yet doesn't cost the taxpayers a penny, and no private person or group is piling up profits at the serving man's expense. For "Naffy" is the serving man's own "co-op shop"; and though carried on for and by the three Services, it is entirely unofficial and independent. Its policy is defined by an unpaid council of 12, four from each Sei-vice; its executive work is performed by a board of six, three officials with business experience and three Service representatives. This staff controls what is actually one of the largest trading companies in England: for some years past the annual surplus has exceeded £400,000, in 1938 it was about £600,000, and it is continually increasing. Goods are sold at strictly competitive prices, not cut-rate; surpluses are distributed in - bonuses, rebates and premiums to the serving men and their wives in proportion to their expenditure at the canteens and grocery shops,; a certain proportion is returned indirectly by grants to sports and rifle associations, the refurnishing of institutes, hiring of entertainers ,and so on. Typical of the vast quantities passing through "Naffy's" warehouses annually are such items as 600,000 pounds of tea, 3500 tons of bacon, 30,000,000 eggs, 22,500 tons of fruit and vegetables. Only about 170,000 bottles of wines and spirits were sent out last year. The modern soldier,, sailor and airman drink less and less alcohol. Before the war, beer consituted more than half the trade of any military canteen; now it represents less than five per cent. Sweetstuffs have taken its place. For centuries English soldiers were billeted in alehouses, and had to rely on filching or wheedling extra food and drink from local housewives. During the Napoleonic wars, when soldiers were first housed in barracks, outside contractors were allowed to set up shops within the barracks. The quality of goods was often as low as the price was high. Bribery was rife, and profiteering contractors made vast fortunes. In i wartime /the system broke down com--1 pletely—during the Crimean War thousands of men died from starvaI tion.

Then in 1892 Captain Lionel Fortescue, canteen president of the 17th Lancers, worked out a system by which the regiment canteen made profits, which were credited to the regiment for the men's benefits. Then he induced two friends in other regiments, Major Harry Craufurd and Surgeon-Captain Herbert Ramsay, to form with him the Canteen and Mess Co-operative Society. They started with a capital of £400; six years later the Society had a turnover of £265,000.' The Government called on" them to build a canteen service forlthe Great War, and by 1918 this amazing organisation had a trade turnover of more than £9,000,000 and a surplus of over £7,500,000. All but £350,000 of this surplus was paid to the United Services Fund; that sum was used to form the assets of the N.A.A.F.1., which in 1921 'took over the canteen work for the three Services.

With its thousands of girl assistants, who have quietly effected a vast improvement in canteen language and manners, "Naffy" is recognised as am important social factor in army life. It is constantly expanding its services as a vital source of supply for the troops. "Naffy's" watchword is "Ready for Anything!"