PATRIOTIC WORK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 85, 4 January 1941, Page 8

PATRIOTIC WORK

Colonel Waite’s Activities In London MANY DIFFICULTIES "We arc living under active service conditions. It is impossible to write letters and expect anything to be achieved,” said Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. F. Waite, D. 5.0., M.L.C., the National Patriotic Fund Board’s overseas commissioner, in a , report from Loudon. With postal, telephonic and telegraphic delays, he explained, the ouly method of achieving results was to wait personally upon the principals concerned, and this hud entailed much running about, sometimes with very little success. Paying tribute to the voluntary workers at the New Zealand Forces Club in Charing Cross Road, London, Colonel Waite said that all New Zealanders were greatly in their debt for their unselfish devotion to duty during trying times. “Heavy calibre bombs,” he continued, “have repeatedly fallen close to the club premises; the gas and water supply have been destroyed by enemy action more than once; all the windows have been shattered by blast ; the building has rocked nightly as if convulsed by earthquakes, but the staff have gallantly carried on, and surmounted all obstacles.” Colonel Waite outlined the agencies or channels in Britain through which he is working. The New Zealand Field Force, he said, dealt with the bulk of the men. The sum of £2500 Lad been placed at the disposal of Major-General Freyberg, ' G.0.C., New Zealand Expeditionary Force. This had been deposited with the paymaster and three trustees had beeu appointed. A sports committee representing each unit had been set up, aud a large quantity of sporting gear had been ordered for the men in England and the Middle East. Referring to the New Zealand Forces Club, formerly an Italian club, the rent of which is guaranteed by the National Patriotic'Fund Board, Colonel Waite said that it not ouly catered for the members of the New Zealand fighting services, but was also open to all men aud women of His Majesty’s armed forces, this being in some slight return for the hospitality given the New Zealanders by other service clubs.

Splendid Service.

"The work of the supervisors, Mrs. 1-Teyberg and Mrs. Hanston, and the chairman of the house committee, Dr. Comrie,” Colonel Waite added, "is beyond any praise I can give them. They have, together with -a large staff of other voluntary helpers, rendered a great service to New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen.” The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. W. J. Jordan, was chairman of all commitlees: Mr. Davis Reid, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, London, served as depul.v-cliairi.nan of I be tiimnce committee; and lie (Colonel Waite) bad taken Brigadier Falla's place as depuli -chairman of the club commit--1 co. The dull was a rallying point tor all New Zealanders wishing to share in the war work. Apart from Hie guaranteeing of the rent by the National Patriotic Fund Board, Hie New Zealand War Services’ Association was using money raised by this body in London to run tlie club.

Tribute was also, paid by Colonel Waite to the work being done for the National Patriotic Fund Board by the New Zealand Y.M.C.A., under Mr. Shove and Mr. Briggs. He made special mention of the mobile tea vans and other units, stating that they kept up well will, the troops and that they had been of the greatest service.

Since his arrival from New Zealand Dr. Alexander Gillies had given a great deal of attention to the equipping of hospitals and convalescent homes, and had assisted in the provision of gift ambulances from the United States of America and other organizations. Two ambulances had been received from the Anzac 55 ar Relief Fund, New York, and one each from the Borough of Paisley and from the Brewers’ Society. Dr. Gillies had also been carrying out negotiations to get £2 monthly to each of the New Zealand prisoners of war. Parcels were forwarded to the New Zealand prisoners of war, but because of the heax.' strain on railway I rathe in Spain and France, it was doubtlu. it parcels were getting through Io those detained in Germany.