OUR SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15939, 28 June 1917, Page 11

OUR SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND.

WORK OF WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION. # INTERVIEW WITH AIR JOHN GRIGG. After an absence from tho Dominion of fom-tecn months, Mr Jolin Grigg, of Longueach, has returned to Ashbarton. During the whole of tho time that Mr Grigg has been in tho Old Country ho has been engaged in patriotic work., as a member of the New Zealand War Contingent Association. The nature of tho activities of this*voluntary body of patriotic New Zcalanders is well known to all those who take an interest in tho welfare of the soldiers of this Dominion, but one or two aspects of the war were briefly commented on by -Mr Grigg. He stated that an interesting phase of the work is that of tracing, relatives of soldiers. Many Now Zcalanders have in Great Britain relatives whom they have never seen. By an arrangement with tho Post Office otncials, the Association undertakes tho task of finding the addresses of tho men's relatives, and tho system is popularly regarded by tho men, as is testified by the large numbers who make use of it. Speaking4jenerally of the work of the Association, GrI KS said that very special attention was paid to tho comfort of tho men who might find themselves temporarily accommodated at one or another of the New Zealand hospitals or convalescent homes at Codford, Hornchurch, Brockenhurst, Walton-on-Thames, or Oaklands Park. Tho Association's work at tho hostels in London was also commented on, and Mr Grigg was wholehearted in his appreciation of the work of the New Zealand ladies belonging to the Association. He defended the action of the Association in entering upon building schemes, and said that many people in the Dominion considered that money should not be spent on buildings, but at some of tho hospitals and homes no room was provided for men, other than the wards or dormitories and the dining: hall. Tho Association had supplied the want, and had erected recreation rooms in addition, and canteens were also provided at Codford, Hornchurch. and Brockenhurst, where refreshments and meals could be procured at almost below cost price. Ihe work of the Association had not overlapped with that the Y.M.C.A. Both institutions were- needed, and no building scheme was ever entered upon without the approval of General Richardson, as a member of the Association who is in charge of all the colonial soldiers while they arc in England. • It had been proved that owing to the increasing number of New Zealand soldiers arriving in England, both the Association and the Y.M.C.A. had been required to look after the comfort of the men, and the YJVI.C.A. _ma.de no distinction between the soldiers, but was satisfied so long as the man wore khaki. The War Contingent Association devoted its attention specially to the men from New Zealand. At the hospitals and convalescent homos, tho ladies were each apportioned one ward, and they kept a record of every man who was admitted, the date of his ar- j rival, particulars as to his progress, and his destination when discharged. The information thus compiled had been of the greatest assistance to members of the Association in answering the enquiries of relatives in New Zealand. Mr Grigg stated that it was marvelous to notice all over Great Britain how tho people had adapted themselves to the economic circumstances forced upon them by the war. In all ptirts an intense system of cultivation was being carried out, not only m wheat-growing, but in vegetable plots. People who wore not engaged in other activities of war work had readiiy responded to the call to help with cultivation, and the result was that vegetable plots could bo seen in thousands. Owners of land had set aside areas to be cultivated, and allowed persons who had no land to cultivate vegetables by this means. The food shortage was to all extents being solved. The people of Great Britain were also filling the ranks of farm labourers depleted by men going to the war, and it was surprising to notice the important part women were taking in this respect. It was quite usual to see girls in uniforms working on the farms. In Essex, even the daughters of Lord Plunket, an exGovernor of New Zealand., were engaged on a dairy farm looking after a herd. When Mr Grigg left England rain was badly needed to freshen up the wheat crops. Mr Grigg said he considered the authorities had made a mistake in introducing the meatless day, which was not nearly so essential as the conserving of the bread supply, which was the staple food of the poorer classes. Since leaving England he had learned that the Food Control Board had taken oyer all the flourmills, and was controlling the supply of flour. The food position was now much more satisfactory, as could be learned from the fact that supplies of Sour ordered from Montreal for England had now been stopped.