BOOKS FOR SOLDIERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 95, 1 December 1939, Page 6

BOOKS FOR SOLDIERS

APPEAL BY PATRIOTIC COUNCIL,

HOW PUBLIC CAN HELP

In a special address to the general public the Hon. F. Waite. D.S.O M.L.C., has appealed for books and magazines for men and women who have enlisted.

"Although New Zealand is at war with German}', so far, the majority 'of us are going about our usual work, not greatly disturbed/' he said. "But may I remind you that many thousands of our young men and women are already actively training as nurses, soldiers,, sailors and airmen, and are now away from their homes in camps. And others are on the high seas, in our cruisers and mine sweepers; in lonely outposts in the Pacific, and at isolated defence posts in many parts of New Zealand,

The job of the members of the National Patriotic Council is to see that our enlisted men are looked iilter. All money raised wilt be spent in the interests of the troops. This :nonej r is not administered by the Government. The National Patriotic Fund Board and the various Provincial Patriotic Councils have sole control of their respective funds. It must be emphasised that the sole aim of everyone concerned is the vrelfare of our nurses, soldiers, sailors and airmen.

To Patriotic People

The Government —through the Defence Department and the War Expenses Account —finds the money for tiie pay, the feeding,, the clothing, the housing and the training of the men. And this work—despite the critics—lias so far been well done..

13lit after these necessities are provided, there is ample scope for the work of patriotic people who desire to see that our young volunteers are provided—not only with necessities (that is taken care of by the War Expenses Account) but also with comforts and amenities and conveniences. I wish, to make a special appeal on behalf of the Library Committee, which is entrusted with the furnishing of camp libraries, and Avith keep mg up a supply of books, magazines and papers to the outlying outposts, and to military hospitals. \ In this sphere,, not only does the Government provide the library building, but we are also fortunate in having the services of the Country Library Service, which, under the expert guidance of Mr Alleyhas put its valuable organisation at the service of our enlisted men.

Papers and Magazines

An urgent need is a continuing supply of books and illustrated magazines and papers. What sort of books? All kinds of novels, a proportion of travel books, biographies and any books of general literature. Obviously, the greatest demand will be for fiction, but a very good rule to keep in mind is to send that class of book or magazine that you yourself would be glad to receive. Obviously, books should be clean and in good order; and magazines of the more topical kind should not be too far out of date.

For tlie lending libraries in the mam camps, we could do with a large supply of fiction and general

literature: while, for the smaller CHinps, for hospitals, and for despatch to ships overseas, the following are desirable: paper-baekecl novels of "Penguin" type, illustrated papers;, and magazines of the "Digest" type.

Where to Send Them,

AVhere should these books and papers be sent? To any Public Libaddressed: "Library Service. Military Camps." The members of the New Zealand Library Association are giving the fullest co-opera-tion, and it has now been ararnged

that each Public Library throughout New Zealand will act as receiving agent for all parcels of books :nd periodicals.

It should be emphasised that there

fire over ten thousand men in our camps and air stations and ships, whose reading interests are many and varied This means that books on a wide range of subjects will be needed. J hose who make gifts are assured that books will be well looked after, and that every attempt will he made to put books where they will be used. So, please! Make up- a parcel of b:")oks, lab?! it "Library S"rvicc\ MiH iary Camws," v,v\ Jake- ih- ! o ycrir Public: L : br;r-v.