FOOD OF N.Z. TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23319, 3 May 1941, Page 10

FOOD OF N.Z. TROOPS

ENVY OF OTHER SOLDIERS GENERAL’S CARE; FOR MEN (PJU HAMILTON. May 2. “When it comes to thel provision of food; the way the- New Zealanders in , envv of all other droops," said Lieutenas3®». J. Pierce.M.C.. E.D. Officei/iCdhmanding the, Divisional : Glairy; vvhohas returned to NewZeeland on siek leave and who is convalescing at Hamilton. , Lieutenant*Golonel Pierce, who was formerly a wellrknbwn farmer in the Ohaupo ; district, left > New ■, Zealand with .the Ist Echelon, To-day he paid a tribute to the, work of the patriotic committees in New Zealand for what they Were doing in providing food and comforts for the men Overseas, and said that their. activities were greatly appreciated by the men on active service. “The food our men are getting, is excellent, and Major-General Freyberg ’ sees to it-that they are fed well and get the best quality it is possible to provide," said Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce.' “This time there is no/euggCstion that the men are living on bully beef and biscuits, . Of course when they are actually in the field such rations may have to be served up to-them, buiv as a rule, those periods are of only aiort duration. Plenty of Vegetables ."Egypt is a land where vegetables are plentiful and cheap, and our troops get a great supply'of them. To give- an ■ indication; we have our regimental funds for the'provision of any extras •we may need, but I have never, once had the: 'chance,, or occasion, of fully expending the money 1 bad. in hand. > if At'the base camps the Ifew; Zealanders even have butter 'lnJm their ihofheland served to them, and it is greatly, appreciated. Major-General Freyberg looks, on . every meal- , for every man as a social event, and is absolutely insistent that the merl should be given- the. best possible conditions'under which to eat, and the food that .can. be secured,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce, “In this direction he even made pie obtain glass pepper and salt shakers. .for the men’s tables. .It is always his direction that the, men shall not want lor anything in the "way of food if it, can be provided. Of course they are not fancy mealc but. they are clean, wholesome, and'- of excellent quality.”