FORGES CLUB IN ROME

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 3

FORGES CLUB IN ROME

FACILITIES FOR TROOPS

NIGHT LEAVE RESTRICTION

EXPLAINED

Criticism of the administration of the New Zealand Forces Club In Rome, which has been made by soldiers , in airgraph letters from Italy.- has been replied to by the deputy-chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board (the Hon, W. Perry, M.L.C.), The principal complaint, which is mentioned m an airgraph letter quoted by a correspondent to “The Press,”, was that only officers were allowed to spend overnight leave at the club. Mr Perry said that the High Command forbade other than officers and members of the women’s services to remain in Rome overnight. . , . Mr Perry said that the overnight leave restriction imposed by the High Command was mentioned, in a report received recently from Brigadier A. S. Falconer, who was appointed to act as Patriotic Fund Commissioner during the absence on leave of Colonel F. Waite, That report stated; “Unfortunately the High Command has forbidden other than officers and members of the women’s services to stay in Rome overnight. To overcome this restriction, troops were conveyed from the divisional area in Army vehicles to arrive at the club for breakfast, and to take part in conducted tours during the mornings. Parties returned for lunch to the club and to rest in, the agreeable surroundings before setting out for the afternoon’s sight seeing. The evening meal was also partaken of at the club and troops returned to their units late at night.” Mr Perry added that it was clear from the report that the club management was not responsible for the overnight leave restriction, and that everything possible had been done within the limit imposed by the High Command to provide facilities for the men in the ranks to see Rome and to enjoy facilities for meals and rest at the club before they returned to their units. The letter to "The Press” from R. B. Dailey, said;— “The following is an extract from an airgraph letter received by me from Italy dated August 24 supporting criticism of the administration of the New Zealand - Forces Club in Home. ‘The New Zealand Forces Club in Rome, which was a very fine hotel, the staff and orchestra of which have been retained, has 200 bedrooms. Officers only are allowed to spend overnight leave there. Very few except officers have had more than day leave in; Rome; and if the rank arid file do get overnight leave they stay at: a camp outside the city. It is the same at the New Zealand Club in. Rome as in Cairo in that the best lounges, diningrooms. etc., are reserved for officers. In my opinion a disproportionate amount of the Patriotic Funds subscribed by the people of New Zealand irused forthe benefit tafc^c^cplz,;’'