COMFORTS FOR TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 13

COMFORTS FOR TROOPS

Problem Of Supply In The Middle East Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES A dispatch to the National Patriotic Fund Board by Mr. C. Jones, one of the Y.M.C.A. representatives who are agents of the board with the First Echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East, emphasizes the need of comforts from the Dominion being available for the men on service and his appreciation of such gifts. The report refers also to the difficulties that have had to be faced in an endeavour to promote the welfare of the echelon. Mention is made of New Zealanders being in the “forward area,” where, according to the report, they were “having it rather tough,” and of the steps that had been taken to supply them with a canteen SB Apar't from other difficulties, there was naturally disappointment when, through the ships which were carrying the goods being diverted to the United Kingdom the supply of gift parcels and cases of apples from this country did not reach the first echelon. Mr. Jones refers to this in his dispatch, mentioning that the disappointment was specially felt because some parents had advised their sons that something was on the way for them. No one regretted this unfortunate result more than the members of the ■ National Patriotic Fund Board, but it was caused 'by circumstances beyond the board’s control, and as soon as the board was advised of the position it at once took steps to remit a further sum of money to Egypt for the purchase of comforts for the first echelon, and at the first opportunity sent a fresh supply of gift goods to them. It appears, however, from Mr. Jones’s report that it is no easy matter to purchase suitable goods in the Middle East. Local purchase, he says, is difficult to make because, of a scarcity of suitable articles. It was possible to obtain some of the things the men used consistently, but it was felt that this did not meet the bill. From this extract, therefore, the importance will be readily appreciated of sufficient funds being forthcoming to enable the board to send forward comforts from this country. The board is most anxious that everything possible should be done for all the members of the fighting services, and it feels that just now, because of-the theatre of war in which they are engaged, there is a special responsibility to the members of the first echelon. In their case there was leeway to be made up because of the second echelon and the goods that were sent with them not arriving in Egypt in accordance with the original plan, When the fresh consignment of coni forts arrives that gap to some extent will be bridged. Further difficulties that have had to be faced in the work of looking after the welfare of the first echelon are indicated from a special report on work done in the “forward area” by the Y.M.C.A. on its own behalf and as agent for the board. “It is not permissible to indicate the exact position of our units,” states the report, “but it is quite in order to repeat what has already been broadcast from the 8.8. C. and printed in the local newspapers. . . . New Zealanders have proceeded into the Western Desert and are prepared to play their part along the Libyan frontier.” Continuing, the report states that the apparent need for an "all inclusive” canteen service was immediately met, and, though there were some rather severe supply difficulties, four different units were established over a very wide area. Provided transport was arranged, however, the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute (a splendid British organization), depleted all but for a small British staff, was able to make supplies available for the New Zealanders.

“Three marquees, each in separate units, were placed at our disposal along with an adequate, number of orderlies to staff them,” the report continues. “An army truck and driver was placed at the disposal of the Y.M.C.A. officer in charge, who stocked up each morning at the depot and then supplied each unit Y.M.C.A. canteen with requirements. This took considerable time each day, and the rest of the afternoon was used in calling at the fourth Y.M.C.A. area in which the unit concerned was spread out over an area of square miles. Here, it was not permissible to establish a central marquee, and thus bring about concentrations of men at a given point, but it was possible to drive the truck around and ‘visit’ each ‘tent’ in turn. The daily experience in,this latter area never ceased to raise a grin from the Y.M.C.A. staff, for from tent to tent was taken up the cry, ‘Here’s the Y.M. bloke,’ or ‘Here’s the Y.M. truck.’ ”

The mobile Y.M.C.A. and the three settled Y.M.C.A.’s stocked cigarettes, tobaccos, matches, ■ soaps, sweets tinned fruits, biscuits, cordials, brushes, mirrors, films, laxatives, combs, writing paper, scissors, fishing lines, muslin, FKt gnus and oil, and anything else the men asked for which it was possible to procure.