MR JONES RETURNS FROM TUNISIA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23942, 8 May 1943, Page 6

MR JONES RETURNS FROM TUNISIA

(NZE.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, May 5

The New Zealand Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), with his private secretary (Mr F. M. Sherwood). arrived in Cairo from Tunisia and the desert areas last evening by aeroplane. Mr Jones spoke highly of the New Zealand Division and praised the fine work of the New Zealand General Hospital and Convalescent Depot in Tripoli, and the New Zealand non-divisional engineers working on forward arcodromcs and port duties. . , ' ‘■These men arc doing incalculable work, enabling supplies to be sent to the forward areas, and those working on aerodromes arc making it possible for large air fleets to operate almost constantly against the enemy." he raid. At the forward hospital and convalescent depot he found the patients cheerful in spile of their disabilities. The hospital staffs, he said, had done wonders in getting the unit working. Soon after arriving in Tripoli the Minister said he could not speak ton highly of the work of the medical officers, nurses, and staff. In Tripoli he attended a performance bv the Kiwi Concert Party, which had recently returned from Malta. „ T Of hie visit to the division, Mr Jones said: “I was pleased to meet our men in a place where they have been lighting. The visit has been of exceptional value to mo. and I have seen the division working at first hand. I was deeply impressed by the efficiency of the force.” Mr Jones will visit newly wounded personnel in hospitals in Egypt.