Toheroa Soup Status

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31016, 23 March 1966, Page 3

Toheroa Soup Status

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 22. Toheroa soup has has achieved fame as a “status symbol” in South Vietnam.

To New Zealand gunners of 161st Battery it is more than a gastronomic delicacy. It has become a symbol of

national stature—and a key that opens all doors socially in a predominantly AmericanEuropean community. This is one of the things Mr W. Herewini, of Wellington, discovered on his factfinding tour of New Zealand military installations in South-east Asia as a special representative of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association.

Mr Herewini is preparing a comprehensive report on New Zealand troops’ welfare and will make a number of suggestions as to how people at home can contribute to the well-being of the men overseas.

A simpler need than toheroa soup, but more basic, was swifter delivery of local newspapers, Mr Herewini found. The men got an up-to-date summary of international and national news, but local newspapers from home (were commonly two months i old when they arrived. Airmail delivery, although more costly, would make the men feel closer to home. Paperback books were always in demand. ‘They can’t get enough of them,” Mr Herewini said.

Mr Herewini will suggest to the R.S.A. that an effort be made to have New Zealand goods supplied to the New Zealand NA.A.F.I. Familiar labels on the shelf were always a link with home for soldiers and their families. At present items displayed were all American or Australian.

There were requests for New Zealand brewed canned beer, and this might be referred to the breweries, Mr Herewini said. A test consignment had been sent from New Zealand but spoilt in

shipment. The breweries might supply an answer.

In many areas the men were conscious of lack of interest at home and felt they were forgotten, said Mr Herewini. Most of them firmly believed that people at home were too preoccupied with their own problems to be bothered about a handful of men under fire overseas, he said.

“We should make sure we convince them otherwise,” Mr Herewini said.

Telegrams to Indonesia.— Telegraph service with Indonesia has been temporarily interrupted and consequently telegrams are subject to an indefinite delay, the Chief Postmaster (Mr J. W. Lincoln) reported yesterday.